John Leonard Baxley went to heaven to be with Jesus on August 7th, 2025 after a long illness. John was born on July 30th, 1934 to John Leonard Baxley and Lillie Dale Halbert in Little Rock, Arkansas. He was a loving husband, father, and grandfather, as well as holding many other titles among his extended family. He was known to all who loved him as Pop.

John was an industrious and hardworking child, starting a scrap metal business in his teens with his grandfather. After only a week, his grandfather offered him all of his pay if only John would fire him and give him a break! John then spent the majority of his working years in the footwear industry as a salesman, store manager, store owner, and a factory representative. In these roles, he combined his love of a well-made cowboy boot with his most natural talent - talking to people. Many of his family members still remember visiting Pop at work to be fitted for a new pair of shoes, or more recently, having their Christmas shoes inspected by his expert eye. In John's retirement, he became a greeter at Wal-Mart where he still enjoyed visiting with others every day. Having never met a stranger in his life, he was perhaps the only greeter ever to be reprimanded for talking too much! John's favored hobby was deer hunting with his wife, sons and grandchildren. Though Pop was a crack shot, he was known to give the deer a reprieve here and there while he enjoyed frequent outdoor naps. His family fondly remembers a recent hunt in which Pop was still able to take down two deer in two consecutive shots. Finally, John enjoyed nothing more than a family gathering surrounded by loved ones … except perhaps a perfectly ripe Arkansas watermelon to be shared among them. No stranger to adversity, Pop's legacy is one of resilience and determination.

John was a long-time member of Temple Baptist Church and is a current member of Park Place Baptist Church. He is survived by his devoted wife of 71 years, Hazel Irene Baxley; their sons, Gary W. Baxley, Philip Carl Baxley (Jeanette), and David G. Baxley (Theresa); six grandchildren, Daniel Baxley (Amanda), Stacey Edwards, Dawn Barron (Sergio), Ashley Powell (Michael), Devin Baxley (Shelby), and Dillon Baxley; and siblings Jim David Baxley (Fran), Carolyn Utley, and Ray Baxley (Lisa). He was also blessed with eight great grandchildren and two great-great grandchildren as well as many beloved nephews and nieces. John was predeceased by his parents and sisters Betty Sue Rhodes, Creda Sandlin, and Juanita Batman.

Visitation will be held at Ashby Funeral Home on Tuesday, August 12th at 1:00 pm followed immediately by the service at 2:00.

Pallbearers will be his grandsons and great grandsons, Daniel, Devin, Dillon and David W. Baxley, Bryce Edwards, and Mason Powell as well as his lifelong friends, Henry McCrotty, Eugene Bowman, Paul Hernandez, and Curtis Griffith.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in John's memory to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital and the Make-A-Wish Foundation.