John Richard Cecil, Sr., 89, of Arlington, TN. formerly of Lamar, MS. died August 16, 2023 at NHC Somerville, TN. He was born in Memphis December 14,1933 to Mark Cecil, Sr.  and Martha Barker Cecil. He was the fourth of eleven siblings.  John was preceded in death by his parents; four brothers and two sisters; his daughter, Lori Brown (Mitchell); and son-in-law, Charles McFall. He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Laura Harris Cecil; his children, Paula McFall, John Cecil, Jr. (Betty), Dawn Walls (Travis); 1 brother, Paul Cecil; 3 sisters, Shirley Gentry, Barbara Fry, Tygar Cairo; 11 grandchildren and 21 great-grandchildren; and a host of nieces and nephews. John was baptized at Coleman Ave. Church of Christ as a young man and served 2 years in U.S. Army as a cook. He retired from Memphis City Schools as a painter. He was an animal lover and loved to be outdoors, especially hunting and fishing with his family. He was a birdwatcher and could name almost any birdcall. John dearly loved his grandchildren and enjoyed attending their sporting events