John P. Hollingsworth, 85, of Howard, Ohio passed away on December 18, 2025, at the OSU Wexner Medical Center in Columbus, Ohio. He was born on October 5, 1940, to Robert M. and Thelma E. (Sharp) Hollingsworth in Kokomo, Indiana.
John was a lifelong educator whose career touched countless lives. He served as Principal and Superintendent of Northridge Local Schools, Superintendent at East Knox Local Schools, Associate Professor of Education at Mount Vernon Nazarene University, and as a long-time member of the Alumni Board at the University of the Cumberlands.
A man of many talents, John was an avid fisherman, golfer, and a skilled woodworker who crafted dulcimers, harps, and other stringed instruments. His deep Christian faith guided his life, and he devoted decades of service as a deacon, choir and music director, and member of the Ohio Southern Baptist Disaster Relief team. He loved traveling throughout the United States with his wife Brenda and attending his grandchildren’s activities. John considered his family to be his greatest blessing and joy in his life.
John is survived by his wife of 63 years, Brenda (Haynes) Hollingsworth; his son, Tom (Cindy) Hollingsworth of Steubenville, Ohio; daughters Tracy Lenavitt of West Chester, Ohio and Carrie (Rick) Printz of Howard, Ohio; grandchildren Monika, Phillip, Marcellus, Jesse, Drew, and Sam; great-grandchildren Thomas, Richard, Keylea, Miriam, Micah, and Blair; and siblings Robert (Helen) Hollingsworth, Doreena (Ernie) Foster, Charles (Janie) Hollingsworth.
John was preceded in death by his son John P. Hollingsworth II, and two younger brothers, Tommy and Jimmy.
Calling hours will be Tuesday, December 23, 2025, from 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. at Snyder Funeral Home – Lasater Chapel, 11337 Upper Gilchrist Road, Mount Vernon, Ohio 43050, followed by a funeral service at 1:00 p.m. Graveside services will follow at Wilson Cemetery in Newark, Ohio.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to The James Cancer Treatment and Research Center. https://giveto.osu.edu/makeagift/details/313545
Funeral Home: Snyder Funeral Home
Website: www.snyderfuneralhomes.com