John Marshall Lusk Jr., age 86, of Jackson, passed away peacefully on October 12, 2025. He was born June 21, 1939, to Mr. and Mrs. John M. Lusk Sr., of Aberdeen. He graduated from Aberdeen High School, Mississippi State University, and the University of Memphis School of Law, where he was vice president of the student body.
In addition to the private practice of law, he served as Director of Community and Economic Development for the Mississippi Economic Council, Executive Director of the Mississippi Association of Supervisors, Executive Vice President of the Mississippi Petroleum Marketers Association, Assistant Attorney General, Chief of Staff for a U.S. Congressman, attorney for the Mississippi Oil & Gas Board, and Chairman of the Mississippi Workers Compensation Commission.
He treasured his 25 years of service on the Board of the Jackson-Hinds Comprehensive Health Center and his term as its president. He was a board member of the National Association of Workers Compensation Boards, Vice Chairman of the Mississippi Insurance Commission, and Adjunct Professor for the Mississippi College School of Law.
He served as a deacon at Trinity Presbyterian Church and later as a founding member and deacon at Redeemer Church, where he was devoted to its mission of outreach, and loved the solid preaching and joyful music. He enjoyed tutoring at the Oakley Correctional Center and Neighborhood Christian Center and volunteering where needed at French Camp Academy.
He is survived by his wife, Alice Adams Lusk (whom he met on a blind date, proposed to on the second date, and was happily married to for 54 years); daughter Mamie Hollingsworth (Jet); son John Lusk III (Beth); and grandchildren Alice Ann Hollingsworth, Elizabeth Marshall Hollingsworth, Jetson Griffin Hollingsworth, John Marshall Lusk IV and James Adams Lusk. He is also survived by his sister Lois Stockton (James) and brother James Lee Lusk (Anne), all of Aberdeen; and sister Betty Howard (Al) of Tuscaloosa, Ala. He was preceded in death by his parents and infant daughter Jessica.
His extended family gave him great joy, and through his persuasive powers, five family members bear his name. He loved befriending all types of people, and whether it was in the Oval Office or the sidewalk of the downtown Jackson Post Office, he met all with an equal interest, respect, an open hand of generosity, and humor, leaving each with their own “Marshall story.” He loved his children and grandchildren with a fierceness matched only by his passion for allowing Alice to sleep late.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made to Redeemer Church or French Camp Academy.
Visitation and a memorial service were held October 16 at Redeemer Church. Inurnment will take place at a later date at the Lusk family plot in Greenwood Cemetery in downtown Jackson.
