John Hurst Embry, Jr.

John Hurst Embry, Jr., 64, of Bay Saint Louis, Mississippi, passed away on Tuesday, November 12, 2024.

John was born on November 19, 1959 in Melbourne, Florida to John Hurst Embry, Sr. and Peggy Philyaw Embry. He grew up in Satellite Beach, FL and attended Surfside Elementary School before moving to Clear Lake (Houston), TX, where he attended Junior and Senior High School. After high school, he moved to Slidell, LA, where he met and married his lovely wife Anna Maria Tucker. They were married for 45 years.

John began his tenure with Flowers Baking Company in June 1980 at Bunny Bread New Orleans, starting in Route Sales. His commitment and skill quickly earned him a promotion to District Manager in October 1983, followed by a role as Account Executive in November 1987. In March 1989, John was promoted to Branch Manager and by March 1991 he became the Sales Manager of Special Projects in Lafayette, LA. In June 1992, John earned another promotion to Vice President of Sales at Bunny Bread New Orleans, where he was instrumental in developing sales strategies. His leadership and success in the Vice President role led to his highest promotion, President of Flowers Baking Company of Lafayette, where he served with distinction from March 1997 to May 2003. In May 2003, John transferred to Batesville and further contributed to the company’s expansion. His most enduring role came in May 2006, when he was appointed Plant President of Bunny Bread New Orleans, where it all began. John remained Plant President until his retirement on December 30, 2017.

Throughout his remarkable career, John was known for visionary leadership, strategic thinking, and commitment to the success of Flowers Baking Company. His dedication, professionalism, and personal integrity earned the respect and admiration of colleagues, clients, employees, and business partners alike.

John was a member of multiple carnival crews and parade organizations. On weekends you could find him fishing and boating, working on home improvement projects, slow cooking on his Green Egg grill, or boiling up some of the best seafood.

John was loved by many and will be dearly missed.

John was preceded in death by father, John Hurst Embry, Sr.

He is survived by his loving wife of 45 years, Anna Embry; mother, Peggy Embry; sons, James Embry (Melissa) and Paul Embry (Anna); daughter, Sarah Arnevik (David); six grandchildren, Ethan Embry, Colton Embry, Kate Embry, Finn Embry, Clay Embry, and Zoey Arnevik; and sister, Sandra Byrd (Mark).

Services will take place on Saturday, November 16, 2024 at Edmond Fahey Funeral Home, Bay Saint Louis, MS. Visitation from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m., followed by a Memorial Service at 11 a.m.

Burial will take place at a later date in the Cypress Grove Cemetery in New Orleans, LA.

Edmond Fahey Funeral Home is honored to serve the family of John Hurst Embry, Jr.