John Eastland Gleason passed away suddenly Wednesday afternoon, September 10, 2014. He was born in Greenville, Mississippi on June 29, 1935, to Mr. and Mrs. John H. Gleason of Doddsville, Mississippi. He graduated from Ruleville High School, where he was president of his senior class, and went on to Mississippi State University for his freshman year. He then enlisted in the U. S. Navy and served for three years as an aviation machinists mate.
After his naval service, he returned to Mississippi State where he was a member of Kappa Sigma fraternity and completed his degree in Agricultural Engineering. He worked with Massey Ferguson for a year while awaiting his appointment with the United States Secret Service. He served for 34 years before retiring in June of 1994. During his career, he was assigned to field offices in Washington, D.C., Chicago, Knoxville, Memphis, and finally as Special Agent in Charge, State of Mississippi. He served under eight United States presidents, including Kennedy, Johnson, Nixon, Ford, Carter, Reagan, Bush, and Clinton.
John enjoyed spending time with his wife, Bettye, and family. He especially loved playing with his six grandchildren. He was an avid reader, and often traveled to Old Alazan Ranch in west Texas to enjoy the ranch life with his inlaws, Waynelle and Red Strachan, and family. On a daily basis, he loved to keep up with local news while having coffee with his buddies.
John is survived by his wife of fiftyfour years, Bettye, sons Brad, Gary and wife Brooke, Michael and wife Sherry, and their families, including six grandchildren, Parker, Miller, Carlie, Jack, Grace, and Andrew. He is also survived by his sister Faye Williams and husband Everette, and brother Don Gleason and wife Claudia, and multiple nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be held at First Baptist Church in Clinton, Mississippi on Saturday, September 13, at 2:00 p.m. The funeral service will follow at 3:00 pm. Graveside services will be held at City Cemetery, in Corinth, Mississippi, on Sunday September 14 at 2:00 p.m. The family asks that in lieu of flowers, gifts be made to First Baptist Church in Clinton, Mississippi or St. Jude Childrens Hospital.