John W. ”Johnny” Head, formerly of Jackson, died in Katy, Texas, Saturday, May 12, 2018. He was 92.

Born in Yokena in Warren County, he was the son of the late GB Head and Rose Bobb Head. He was a graduate of Jett High School and Mississippi State University with a degree in accounting. He served in WW II and attained the rank of Sergeant. In 1949, he was employed by Southern Farm Bureau Casualty Insurance Company, retiring as chief executive officer with 42 years of service.

Mr. Head was a member of the Mississippi State University Alumni Association and was a generous donor to the university. He was active in community and civic activities including the Jackson Country Club and River Hills Country Club. He was a former contract bridge player and an ardent tennis player well into his eighties. He was an active supporter of the Mississippi State University Development Foundation and all sports and activities of the university.

Mr. Head served as chairman of the National Association of Independent Insurers (NAII) and served on the Board and Executive Committee of Trustmark National Bank for 20 years. He was a member of the Society of Mayflower Descendants and a lifetime member of the Yokena Presbyterian Church.

He was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 67 years, Norma Geraldine Lyle; his cherished dachshund, Pixie; and son-in-law, Joe Hendrix. His parents and sisters, Annie Marie and Dell (Robey); and brother, Bobb and wife, Nell and their sons, Michael and John, also went before him.

He is survived by his devoted daughters, Kathy Head McMurry, PhD (Pete) of Tupelo, and Susan Head Hendrix of Katy, Texas.

He was known affectionately as “Duck Duck” by his granddaughters, Sadie Aycock Krawczyk (Brian) of Monroe, Ga; Stacie McMurry Hutchison (Tim) of Roswell, Ga., and Amanda Hendrix Jacobi (Ben) of Richmond, Texas; and his eight great-grandchildren, Eden, Jolie, Ben and Jakin Krawczyk, Wells and Graeme Hutchison and Madeline and Charlotte Jacobi.

He is also survived by a favorite nephew, Dr. David Head and his wife, Linda of Nashville, Tenn., and their children, Becky, Angie and Dave and their spouses and children, as well as other great-nieces, Molly and Julie; and great-nephew, Bobb and nephew, Louis (Sharon) and their children, Louis and Scarlett. His cousin, John Leigh Hyland and wife, Dee and their girls, Fawn, Leigh, and Jan and their families have always been very close to his heart as well as cousin, Nancy Cooper Gilbert and her husband, Spencer.

He lived by the Golden Rule, “Do unto others as you would have others do unto you!” as evidenced by his many friends and colleagues.

John Head was a devoted husband, a kind and loving father and grandfather, an astute financial planner, wonderful provider and role model. He was a brilliant and innovative businessman and a witty and loyal friend. He and Norma traveled extensively in their earlier years and made friends all over the country.

Always, he enjoyed good food, good wine and fine dining with friends. Family vacations were memorable learning and bonding events. He was an avid hunter and fisherman most of his life and in retirement, he mastered the microcomputer and continued to read the Wall Street Journal daily.

He loved gardening, farm management and the MSU Bulldogs.

The family is grateful for the many kindnesses and support of his dear friends and neighbors and is especially grateful to long time caregiver, Elenora Ransom of Jackson.

Pallbearers will be Dr. Robert Dale, Jack Geary, Dr. David Head, Tim Hutchison, Ben Jacobi, Pete McMurry, Rod Moore, Anthony Thomas.

Honorary pallbearers will be John Leigh Hyland and John Price.

Services will be at Yokena Presbyterian Church, Highway 61 S, Vicksburg, MS, at 11 a.m. Saturday, May 19, 2018, with visitation prior to the service at 10 a.m. at the church.

Memorials may be made to Yokena Presbyterian Church, 472 Jeff Davis Road, Vicksburg, MS 39180 or to MSU Foundation, John W. Head Memorial Fund, P.O. Box 6149, Mississippi State, MS 39762.

Riles Funeral Home has charge of the arrangements.