John "J.M." Marshall Toler

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Visitation Schedule
Central Baptist Church
5200 Fairway Avenue
North Little Rock, AR  72116
Saturday, October 15, 2016
11AM
Service Schedule
Central Baptist Church
Fairway
North Little Rock, AR  72116
Saturday, October 15, 2016
12Noon
Cemetery
Oaklawn Cemetery
Main Street
Batesville, AR  72501
Memorial Contributions
Alzheimer's Association
9370 Olive Blvd.
St. Louis, MO  63132
I served in the Army.
John "J.M." Marshall TolerI am a Veteran.

of North Little Rock, AR

January 24, 1922 - October 13, 2016


John Marshall Toler (J.M.) was welcomed into the loving arms of Jesus, October 13, 2016. He was born to the late; Gay and Mary Mabel Toler on January 24, 1922 in Peach Orchard, AR. He is survived by his children; Bonny (Toler) Free, Julie (Toler) Mertens, David Kent Barnes, and Charles ''Chuck'' Roy Barnes III. Grandchildren; Kent, Lisanne, Carrie, Sarah and Daniel Barnes, Caroline and Lara Mertens, J.J. and Annajayne Free, great grandchildren; Gavin, Eldon and Clara Barnes, Brooklyn and Hadley Potts, Henry and James Seymour and Savannah Free. J.M. was preceded in death by his parents; son; John M. Toler, Jr., and loving wife Carolyn Burns Toler.
J.M. was one of six children and he followed his father's footsteps and worked for the railroad. He was a telegrapher, dispatching trains for the Missouri Pacific Railroad until WWII. He went to Jefferson Barracks in St. Louis for Basic Training, then to New Orleans, bound for Europe. He became a Technical Sergeant for the 720th Railway Operating Battalion in France, dispatching trains to the front lines. This included hospital trains, ammunition trains, POW trains and transporting Holocaust survivors from German concentration camps.
After the war, J.M. continued his railroad career, spending 45 years with the Missouri Pacific/Union Pacific Railroad. He started as a third trick telegrapher to the Vice President of Transportation working his way up thru the ranks and eventually retiring as the Vice President of Transportation. J.M. spent his retirement enjoying life at Greer's Ferry Lake, traveling, riding in his ''Little Red Rooster'' and spending time with his family whom he loved very much.
Services will be at Central Baptist Church, 5200 Fairway Ave., North Little Rock, AR. Saturday, October 15, 2016 at 12:00PM., Visitation will be one hour prior at the church. Burial will take place at OakLawn Cemetery in Batesville, AR at 3:00PM. Please send memorials to: Alzheimer's Association, 9370 Olive Blvd., St. Louis, MO 63132. Online guestbook: www.rollerfuneralhomes.com/owens.





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5 Condolence(s)
Norman E West Jr
Plano, TX
Liked
Thursday, October 27, 2016

I knew of Mr. Toler through W M Adams articles in Trains Magazine. My one contact with Mr. Toler was by telephone in St. Louis in May, 1980, during a travel layover there. I called the Missouri Pacific switchboard and asked for Mr. Toler. Not only was he in the office, but he personally picked up the telephone. We spoke for several minutes and both of us enjoyed the conversation. Mr Toler even said so himself. I got a favorable impression and concluded that John M. Toler was an example of a good railroad official. I am sorry to hear he is no longer with us. I extend heartfelt condolences to his family

Tom Schmidt
Ponte Vedra Beach, FL
Liked
Friday, October 21, 2016

To Mr. Toler's family and friends: He was AVP Transportation for MoPac in the early 1970s when I worked there in his department (several levels down as a young railroader!). He took a special interest in us youngsters and I learned a great deal from him, about good railroading and being a good boss. To this day I value the time I worked under his direction. I am so sorry to learn of his passing and extend my deepest sympathies to his surviving family.

Delbert
England,
Liked
Friday, October 14, 2016

So sorry for your loss. Will be thinking about you guys. All our love Delbert and Laurie

Donald
Baton Rouge,
Liked
Friday, October 14, 2016

You were and are loved by all.

James M. Toler
North Little Rock,
Liked
Friday, October 14, 2016

My sincere condolences to the family. Uncle John was a great man. Like a good bother would he always kept an eye out for me after losing Dad so young. Uncle John is responsible for making many good things possible in my life and others and I always loved him dearly. He was,and is ledgendary!