John Robert Sullivan

John Robert Sullivan passed away peacefully on Friday, March 29, 2024, after a hard-fought battle with Parkinson’s and Lewy Body dementia for four and a half years. 

John Robert was a strong man who loved his family and friends.  He married his sweetheart, Patricia Rollins, in 1962.  They shared 61 years of marriage.  John Robert was the son of John Hazel and Lynn Nicholson Sullivan.  John Robert is survived by his wife, Patricia, two daughters, Lori S. Horton (Marty) of Jefferson and Marcy S. Adams (Brian Heemsoth) of Rock Hill, his brother, Richard Sullivan (Debbie), three grandchildren, Russell Horton (Jessica), Rebecca Horton, and Richard Horton, two great-grandchildren, Emmett and Lane Horton, his nephew Brian Sullivan (Missy), his great-nephew, Preston Sullivan, and several cousins that he loved dearly.

John Robert was a faithful man who loved his church and church family.  He served as an Elder and Deacon of Rocky Creek Presbyterian Church at an early age.   He taught the Men’s Sunday School Class for 31 years.

John Robert graduated from Jefferson High School in 1960 and attended Wingate College for one year. He had to leave Wingate at that time to help support his family due to his father’s illness.  He worked at Caro-Knit in Jefferson for 41 years as the Dye Department Supervisor until the plant closed.  He then went to work for Whitley Lawn and Garden in Monroe, NC until he retired in 2017 to have knee replacement surgery.

In 1992, John Robert began attending Coker College to finish his degree.  He attended on a National Guard grant which allowed him to work days and go to school at night.  He finished the three years in 1995 with a Bachelor’s of Science.  He was on the President’s List with Honorable Mention and upon graduation, received the Alumni Cup Award.

John Robert loved wood-working and was so handy at many things.  At night, he attended carpentry class at Central High School under the supervision of Mr. Arnie Hansen.  John Robert built an entire bedroom suite for Pat and himself.

John Robert cherished time spent with his daughters Lori and Marcy.  He was so proud of their accomplishments.  It brought him joy to see the young women they had become.  

John Robert was so proud of his grandchildren, Russell, Rebecca, and Richard.  Each participated in many school sports and he was always there to enjoy and support them.   Many evenings you could find him in the back yard hitting or throwing balls, pitching to them, or catching for them.   His heart was full of love watching them practice.

Family gatherings were a favorite of John Robert’s and each was special to him.  One of his greatest joys was preparing breakfast on Christmas morning each year.   

John Robert was a kind man with a gentle manner who loved all he met.  He had a quick wit, loved to joke, and always loved to “get one over on you”. John Robert will be missed by all who knew him. 

Funeral services for John Robert Sullivan will be 3:00 PM Monday, April 1, 2024 at Rocky Creek Presbyterian Church officiated by Pastor Tommy Lee Sexton and Pastor Sue Black with interment to follow in the church cemetery. The family will receive friends from 6:00 – 8:00 PM Sunday, March 31, 2024 in the sanctuary of Rocky Creek Presbyterian Church. 

Miller-Rivers-Caulder Funeral Home (www.mrcfuneralhome.com) of Chesterfield, SC is serving the Sullivan family.