James Oscar Medlock, 90, of Pocahontas, formerly of Jonesboro passed from this life Friday, October 28, 2022 at Randolph County Nursing Home. He was born to the late Nelson and Leona Medlock on July 21, 1932 in Jonesboro.
Oscar has resided in Pocahontas for about half of his life after spending the other half in Jonesboro. He was of the Christian belief.
He was a graduate of Valley View High School and attended the modern school of business for two years. James served in the United State Navy for three years, nine months, and twenty-nine days during 1950 -54 in the Korean War. Most of the time in the Navy he spent aboard the USS Pine Island as a Seaplane tender, which are planes that patrolled the Korean waters. Oscar served in the Jonesboro Police Department for twenty years and one month. He was promoted through every rank and was then promoted to Chief of Police for the last three years of his tenure. He stayed in touch with Jonesboro Police Department retirees and considers them as a second family. He also enjoyed restoring classic cars and fishing.
In addition to his parents, James is preceded in death by three brothers, Eugene Medlock, Odell Medlock, and Leonard Medlock.
Oscar is survived by his wife of 67 years, Mary Medlock, of the home; two sons, Donnie (Kathy) Medlock of Pocahontas and Jim (Christie) Medlock of Conyers, GA; two daughters, Marsha (Gerry) Marcum of Wynne and Belinda (Rick) Maxedon of Denton, TX; ten grandchildren; and numerous great grandchildren, nieces, and nephews.
A visitation will be from 5-7 pm Tuesday, November 1, 2022 at Emerson Funeral Home.
A funeral service will be at 10 am Wednesday, November 2, 2022 at Emerson Funeral Home. Burial will follow at Herman Cemetery with active pallbearers being: Jack McCann, Rick Thomas, Wendal Adams, Tony Perrin, Jim Jones, and Rusty Grigsby. Honorary pallbearers will be Curt Hodges and the area’s law enforcement agencies.
For lasting memorials, the family asked to please consider donations to the Craighead County and Randolph County Food bank.