John Tarkington Obituary

The memory of John Tarkington (Magnolia, Arkansas), who passed away on November 21, 2025 at the age of 83, will forever remain in the hearts of those touched by this precious presence in their lives. Family and friends are welcome to leave their condolences on this memorial page and share them with the family.

He was predeceased by: his parents, Elex Tarkington and Ruth Dread Tarkington; his wife Jean Pearl Tarkington; and his siblings, Lavern, Brown, Alvern, Jerry "Helen" McCree, Dorothy Foster, Ervell, Elvis of Elbert Hubert, J. C, Herbert, Billy and Lorenzo Tarkington.

He is survived by: his children, Michael Wayne Tarkington (Lisia) of Mansfield, TX, John Wayne Tarkington (Dionne) of Knoxville, TN and Kim Yvette Tarkington of Magnolia, AR.; his grandchildren, Phillip Tarkington, Ashia Smith (Davonte) and Desmond Tarkington (Lizet); his great grandchildren, Marcelo Tarkington and Arayla Lou-Pearl Smith; his sister Erma Hanson of Dallas, TX; and his sister-in-law Lillian Tarkington of Dallas, TX.

In lieu of flowers, the family has established the John L. Tarkington Memorial Fund for his great-grandchildren.