Obituary of John Reasons

John Woody Reasons passed away peacefully on January 16th after declining health. John was born in Humboldt Tennessee on June 14, 1921. His parents were farmers and his early life was spent working on a 350 acre farm with his five brothers and one sister. In high school, he played basketball and held the high jump record for Western Tennessee.

In September 1942, he entered the Army and trained at Camp Butner, NC during which time he met his wife-to-be Margaret L. Hayes.

John was shipped to Germany as a member of the 78th Lightning Division, 303 Combat Engra which served France, Belgium, Holland and Germany. He was responsible for interpreting blue prints, sketches, and verbal orders for the purpose of building and repairing roads and drainage systems. He instructed members of his squad and supervised the work. In the combat area, he led the squad in laying and disarming mine fields as well as neutralizing army pill boxes and other obstructions. The Engineer Division preceded the main body throughout the days of combat. He earned the Good Conduct Medal, the American Campaign Medal, the European African Middle Eastern Campaign Medal, the American Campaign Medal, the European African Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with two bronze stars and the Honorable Service Lapel Button. He was injured in the Battle of the Bulge and was awarded a Purple Heart.At the end of the war, he returned to Raleigh where he and Margaret started their family.

John was a dedicated member of Caraleigh Baptist Church. He was a deacon, served on numerous committees, a Sunday School teacher, and leader of the Boy Scout troop.He retired from the US Postal Service in 1982 after 27 years of service.After retirement, he continued, until the on-set of his health problems, to have a garden and loved sharing his vegetables with neighbors and friends.John was a loving caring husband, father, grandfather, as well as a wonderful mentor to many people throughout his years. He is survived by his wife Margaret of 66 years, his daughter Judy and her husband Norwood of Garner, a son John W. Reasons, Jr. (Jackie) of Raleigh as well as two granddaughters Rhonda Clark McNairy and husband Walter of Raleigh and Michelle Reasons Carroll and husband Brian of Clayton, a great-granddaughter Grimsley McNairy of Raleigh and two great-grandsons, Jacob and Joshua Carroll of Clayton.Visitation will be Tuesday evening from 7:00-8:30 at Montlawn Funeral Home. The funeral service will be Wednesday at 11:00 at Montlawn with burial to follow.In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Hospice of Wake County (250 Hospice Circle, Raleigh, NC 27607). The family wishes to thank Dr. Anne Yeager for her care and Support.. Arrangements by Montlawn Funeral Home, 2911 S. Wilmington Street, Raleigh (www.montlawn.com)