John Lloyd Napier

John Lloyd Napier of Dothan passed away Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2007, surrounded by his family at his residence following a brief illness. He was 76. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 9, 2007, at First United Methodist Church. Interment with full military honors will follow in Gardens of Memory cemetery, Highway 431 North, with Robert Byrd of Sunset Memorial Park Funeral Home and Crematory directing. The family will receive friends from 6-8 p.m. on Thursday evening in the parlor at First United Methodist Church. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made to the American Parkinsons Disease Association, c/o UAB Department of Neurology, Attn: Tom Brannon, 1720 7th Ave. S., Suite 360-B, Birmingham, AL, 35233. Mr. Napier was born Oct. 27, 1931, in Bowling Green, Fla., son of the late Lloyd Napier and Hadee Clark Napier. He enlisted in the U.S. Army at the age of 16 and served his country during the Korean War. He was a prisoner of war in Korea for 93 days before escaping and finding American forces. He served his country with honor for more than 20 years before retiring in Dothan. After his military retirement, he became a Houston County Commissioner and later Revenue Commissioner until his retirement. Mr. Napier was a member of the First United Methodist Church and the Pathfinders Sunday School Class. He was also a Mason. More than anything, he enjoyed spending time with his wife, children and grandchildren. Affectionately known as J.L., he was a family man who was always ready to help others. His hobbies included fishing and gardening. Survivors include his loving wife of 56 years, Jeanette Napier; daughter, Teresa and husband, Bobby Blount; daughter, Delores, and husband, Dennis Crabtrey; daughter, Denise and husband, Bob Harrelson; daughter Belinda, and husband, Tolton Anderson; son, Steve Napier and wife, Karen; son, Tim Napier and wife, Kathi; 15 grandchildren, Amy Blount, Angel Blount, Bradley Blount, Jeana and husband, Steve Salisbury, Denny Crabtrey and wife, Linda, Tara and husband, Terry Wilbur, Meghan Thomas, Lauren Harrelson, Chip Anderson and wife, Nikki, Stephanie and husband, Murray Rodriguez, Blake Napier, Jake Napier, Brittany Paris, Ashley Paris, Allison Paris; three great-grandchildren, Emma Salisbury, Abby Salisbury, Jessica Wilbur; sisters, Wanda Jean and husband, Ted Dollar, Margie and husband, Charles Mathis; several nieces and nephews. Military pallbearers will be actively serving. Honorary pallbearers will be all ex-POWs and the Pathfinders Sunday School Class of First Methodist Church. Robert Byrd of Sunset Memorial Park, Funeral Home and Crematory, (334) 983-6604, is in charge of arrangements.