of Vilonia, AR
September 30, 1954 - May 16, 2025
John ''Wayne'' Kocourek, 70, entered into the presence of the Lord on Friday, May 16th, 2025 in Conway, Arkansas. He was the beloved husband to Kerri Kocourek. They shared 37 years of marriage together. He always said that it was love at first sight with Kerri and that he knew she was the woman God had for him.
He was born in Stuttgart, Arkansas to John and Sylvia Kocourek on September 30, 1954. He grew up farming in Prairie County and was an avid hunter.
Wayne started working in ministry in 1988. He pastored various churches in Arkansas for over 20 years and reached hundreds of lives. He ministered as a chaplain in McPherson Women's prison for 12 years. Through teaching God's word, he led many women to the Lord. He was a true example of a godly man.
He was a member of Summit Church in Vilonia. He will be remembered for his devotion to his family, his dedication to preaching God's word, his love for the outdoors and for being the best husband, Daddy and Pa. He was a fierce protector of his three girls and was always there when they needed him.
He is survived by his wife, Kerri; his daughters, Hannah Anderson (Pat), Jessie Yaebeang (Jo) and Johnna Harmon (Justin); his nine grandchildren, Cohen, Titus, Hayden, Noah, John Ellis, Emma, Ellie, Sadie and Roman and his mother-in-law, Nancy Barentine. He was preceded in death by his parents, John and Sylvia Kocourek; his brother, Warren Kocourek; his grandparents, and his father-in-law, Gene Barentine.
The funeral service will be held on Wednesday, May 21st at 11:00am at Roller-McNutt Funeral home in Conway, Arkansas. Burial will be at Peppers Lake Cemetery.
The visitation will be held at 10:00am prior to the service.
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57 Condolence(s)
Che Stallings Dolan
Thursday, May 22, 2025
So sorry to hear of his loss. I grew up with Wayne all through school though he was in my brothers grade. Gods peace be with you and your family as you go through his loss. May God be with you always!
Archie Haynes
Wednesday, May 21, 2025
Kerri, you and your family are in my thoughts and prayers! Wayne was like a little Brother to me. We were best friends. Many good memories! RIP Brother !
Jerrell Holmes
Wednesday, May 21, 2025
So sorry for your loss. Wayne and I were classmates at Hazen. He was a fine man. You and your family are in my prayers.
Jerrell Holmes
Wednesday, May 21, 2025
So sorry for your loss. Wayne and I were classmates at Hazen. He was a fine man. You and your family are in my prayers.
Paul & Deanna Goodin
Tuesday, May 20, 2025
Kerri, we were so sorry to hear of this. We enjoyed your time at Hedgeway and kept you both in our prayers with the great work you all were doing. We enjoyed his services and just seeing the joy that you together put forth! Prayers for you and the girls for the days ahead. ❤️Hedgeway Church will always be here for you when you are in need of hugs!
Paul & Deanna Goodin
Jackie Fowlkes
Tuesday, May 20, 2025
Kerri and family,
I am so sorry to hear of Wayne’s passing! My thoughts and prayers are with all of you!
Jackie Fowlkes
Loujean McDougal
Tuesday, May 20, 2025
Love and prayers
Judy Ewing
Monday, May 19, 2025
So sorry to hear about Wayne. Prayers for his family.
Leanne Bradley
Monday, May 19, 2025
So many prayers for your sweet family. Coach and I are so sorry for your loss. Praying that our Heavenly Father holds you close to His Hard and brings you comfort.
Jack Kershner
Monday, May 19, 2025
Sorry to hear. He passed way to young. Prayers for the family.
David Shockey
Monday, May 19, 2025
Sorry to hear this, Wayne was a great guy. I’m thankful that I had the opportunity to know and minister with him at McPherson Unit, I have been blessed to know Kerri. Praying for comfort, peace, and strength at this difficult time.
Debbie Kennedy - Pittd
Monday, May 19, 2025
My heart truly hurts for you, the girls and family. I pray God comforts with His love and peace.
sherri Durham
Monday, May 19, 2025
I was very sad to see that Wayne had passed, he was a good friend to my husband Jim Durham as well as a great teacher of the Bible, he touched many lives. Wayne will be missed by all.
Sherri Durham
Sherry Adams
Monday, May 19, 2025
We are praying for you all to have Gods peace.
Wayne was a wonderful preacher and man. I know he is with Jesus and we will all see him again.
Love and prayers,
Sherry (Shepherd) Adams
Bob and Pam Fason
Monday, May 19, 2025
We are praying for the family of a great man of God
Sheila Milburn
Monday, May 19, 2025
We are so sorry to hear of Wayne’s passing. He was an awesome example of a Godly husband, father, pastor, and person! Our deepest condolences Kerri. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and the girls. God is with you. ❣️💔❤️🩹❤️🔥
Teri Glover
Monday, May 19, 2025
Kerri, I am so sorry for your loss. I am praying that God's peace be with you and your family at this time. Your work family is here for you and sending love and prayers.
God bless,
Teri & Scot Glover
Melissa Molkentine
Monday, May 19, 2025
I’m so sorry for your loss.
Ryan Bush
Monday, May 19, 2025
I am so sorry for your loss. I am thankful for Wayne's faithful service to the Lord.
Jane Ferguson
Monday, May 19, 2025
Jane Ferguson
Monday, May 19, 2025
I am so sorry for your loss. Prayers for the family.
Sam and Lisa Clardy
Monday, May 19, 2025
We are very sorry to hear of Wayne’s passing. We met him only a couple of times. Yet we saw his kindness and love for his family. Prayers for your family. Sam and Lisa
Jennifer Acord
Sunday, May 18, 2025
Kerri
I'm so sorry for your loss..my prayers are with you and your family...
Paul & Jill Perdue
Sunday, May 18, 2025
We loved John Wayne. He soft demeanor and powerful prayers.
He will be missed here on earth and we rejoice because we know he is with his Lord and savior.
Praying for the family.
Connie Skarda
Sunday, May 18, 2025
I am so sorry to hear about Wayne’s passing. We were classmates at Hazen High School. Sending sincere condolences to Wayne’s family. RIP friend.
Corliss Johnson
Sunday, May 18, 2025
I love you Kerri and Im so sorry
Please call me when your ready....
Ronda Graves
Sunday, May 18, 2025
Sending my deepest condolences 💐 and prayers.
Ronda & David Graves
Hedgeway Church.
Bonnie Carpenter
Sunday, May 18, 2025
So very sorry to hear about Wayne. Graduated with Wayne . Prayers with you and your family
Vickie Butler
Sunday, May 18, 2025
Jessie, I hated to learn of your father’s passing. He was a gentle, kind man. It was obvious he was devoted to his wife and his girls. So grateful I had the opportunity to get to know he and his wife when Jessie lived here. The whole family will be in my prayers.
Dusty Bender
Sunday, May 18, 2025
Our deepest sympathy. Our prayers for the family.
Rose Marie Knupp
Sunday, May 18, 2025
You’re in my thoughts and prayers. May God cover you all with His comfort and peace. Wayne was a good guy!
Tina Babb
Sunday, May 18, 2025
I’m sorry for the your loss. He was truly a great man. He was loved by many.
Joyce Hightower and Eddie Hightower
Sunday, May 18, 2025
So sorry to hear of Wayne's passing. Love to all the family
Doris Perkins
Sunday, May 18, 2025
Kerri and Family,
I am so sorry for your loss. I love you and Wayne and kept up with y’all thru FB over the years. You have a beautiful family and great support. I will be praying for y’all.
All my love.
margaret clements
Sunday, May 18, 2025
we loved bro. Wayne so much. he baptized Charles and I, I know he was excited when he saw Jesus. Kerri you and your family will be in our hearts and prayers. We love y'all. GOD bless.
Laura Berry Nicks
Sunday, May 18, 2025
So sorry for your loss. Mr Wayne was a great man.
Tim & Denise Oden
Sunday, May 18, 2025
Kerri & girls, our hearts are broken as well. We love you & your family. This world was a better place with Bro. Wayne in it. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him. He was loved by many including us. May the Lord wrap His ever-loving and comforting arms around you all and give you peace as only He can give. We’re here for you and love you dearly. ❤️🙏🏼
sandra provence
Sunday, May 18, 2025
Thinking of a n d praying for you and your girls and all those precious grandchildren. God Bless and keep your hand in His.
Doc Lance McGraw
Sunday, May 18, 2025
We are praying for you all. No better family man than Wayne. Proud to know him. We will miss seeing him in my office.
Mary Lassen
Sunday, May 18, 2025
So very sorry for your loss Kerri and family. So very happy for his reunion with his Savior Jesus! Love and prayers for all.
Leslie Perkins Byrd
Sunday, May 18, 2025
Kerri I always thought so highly of Wayne. He truly was a great man of God. He was a good friend too. I will surely be praying for ALL of you and your family. 🙏🙏🙏🙏
Len Blaylock, Jr
Sunday, May 18, 2025
Wayne was a man that truly loved the Lord. He pastored the Nimrod Baptist Church early in his ministry and many other Churches. Kerri and his Girls were a blessing. I believe he is with his Savior! Praise the Lord!
John Briggs & Debbi Howard
Sunday, May 18, 2025
Knew Wayne thru Summit Vilonia. He was an incredible man with a passion for the Lord. He will be missed by many, but his legacy will live on thru the works of the Lord. Praying for comfort and peace for his family and many friends.
Bobbie Huffman
Sunday, May 18, 2025
I love you sweet lady.so sorry to hear this
Bobby and Angela Conrad
Sunday, May 18, 2025
We have been praying for God‘s peace to be on all of you during this most difficult time. We know where Wayne is and that he is rejoicing, but it is still very difficult for you all we know.
Darren and Rhonda Owen
Sunday, May 18, 2025
We are so sorry for your loss… I can’t imagine your pain, but as you have shared we know he is in the presence of Jesus! Where we all will be soon ! We pray for His return to be soon!! Our triple J ‘s and our daughters -in -love’ s loved your girls and were thankful for their time together growing up in Vilonia. Our prayers are with you all!
Jen Pisto
Sunday, May 18, 2025
What a sad yet joyous time. Brother Wayne was a wonderful ambassador for the Lord yet so much more than that. Awesome husband, father, grandfather, mentor & friend. Oh, and storyteller. What a great storyteller he was. Grateful for his life lessons and laughs. I'll never listen to an Allman Brother's song without you crossing my mind. IYKYK. Fly high with the Angels sweet Brother Wayne🙂💔🙏☮️
Debbye Boyd
Sunday, May 18, 2025
I’m so sorry for your loss. Hugs and prayers to you and family.
Sue Ekdahl
Sunday, May 18, 2025
Dear, Sweet, Girl, I am deeply sorry for your loss. May God Grant you Peace and understanding throughout this difficult time.
Much Love and Deep Hugs from Mama Sue Ekdahl
Brenda Reynolds
Sunday, May 18, 2025
I’m so sorry to hear of this. I always enjoyed Wayne’s teaching. Praying for God’s peace and comfort for you, the girls, and all your family!
Jeffrey Lynn Whitledge
Sunday, May 18, 2025
I am so sorry for your loss.
Kristi Feigl
Sunday, May 18, 2025
Doug and I are so sorry. We are praying for you and your sweet girls. Our hearts break for you. May God comfort you and give you strength.
Jill Gentry
Sunday, May 18, 2025
So sorry for your loss. Love you n sending big hugs!!
Deb Jaston
Sunday, May 18, 2025
Karri, my heart felt prayers are with you and the family. He was loved by many.
Sharon Kocourek Cagle
Saturday, May 17, 2025
So sorry to hear about Wayne’s passing. Love and prayers for this family.
Tammy Dorsey
Saturday, May 17, 2025
So sorry for you lost. Praying for you and the family.
Kalynn p Gill