John B. Sullivan Jr.

John Bartholomew Sullivan, Jr, 82, of Danville, Kentucky passed away peacefully on November 8, 2025. John was born in Louisville, Kentucky, on June 26, 1943, to the late John and Helen Sullivan.

To know him, was to love him. John was a man of few words but he spoke volumes through his acts of kindness, charity and love. He loved his God, his family, and his Country with all of his heart. The strong work ethic John developed working on the family farm in his youth remained a defining characteristic throughout his life.

John was a loving husband to Jennifer Corbett Sullivan for 38 years and a devoted father to eight children; Kelly Holland (Darin), Carrie Corbett, Pat Sullivan (Megan), Jeff Corbett (Andrea), Shelly Lyons (Joe), Chuck Corbett, Shannon Myers (Michael) and Maria Corbett Roberts. John’s face would light up when he spent time with his 23 grandkids and great-grandkids, who lovingly called him Popaw.

John was a very spiritual man. He was an active member of Southland Christian Church in Danville where he cherished his time with his Monday night men’s bible study group. In addition, he used his time and talents as a volunteer for Heritage Hospice for ten years.

John graduated from Danville High School in 1961 and the University of Kentucky in 1965. At the University of Kentucky, he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Agriculture, with a major in Animal Sciences, and was a member of the Alpha Gamma Rho fraternity. As a proud University of Kentucky alumnus, he was honored with the Golden Wildcat designation in 2015. After college, he served in the United States Navy as a meteorologist on USS Essex CVS-9 during the Vietnam War.

John's career was rooted in agriculture. He worked for Wayne Feeds and Burkmann Mills but he was most known as the Store Manager for Southern States, leading locations in Danville, Harrodsburg, Lebanon, and Lancaster. Following his retirement from Southern States, he continued to serve the community through his work at the Boyle County Property Valuation Administrator’s Office.

In retirement, he enjoyed taking day trips with Jennifer, spending time with family, supporting his grandchildren’s activities and cheering on the Boyle County Rebels and the University of Kentucky Wildcats.

In his final days, John was surrounded by his loving family as he battled a brief illness. He now rests with his Heavenly Father. He is survived by his wife, Jennifer, his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, and his brother, Rev. Richard Sullivan. He was preceded in death by his parents, John B. Sullivan, Sr. and Helen Clark Sullivan.

Funeral services will be 1pm Thursday, November 20, 2025 at Spurlin Funeral Home of Lancaster with Pastor Dusty Bailey, Greg Hatton, and Dan Eades officiating. Burial will follow at Camp Nelson National Cemetery with full military honors. Visitation will be from 4-7pm Wednesday, November 19, 2025 at Spurlin Funeral Home, with an addition visitation on Thursday morning from 11am until service time. 

Honorary pallbearers are John’s grandsons.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Heritage Hospice https://heritagehospice.com/ or the Tunnel to Towers Foundation https://t2t.org/.

To send flowers to the family, please visit our floral store.