John Robert McIntosh

On the morning of Friday, October 9, 2026, John R. McIntosh stepped out of his earthly home into Eternity in his glorified body. He was born on May 23, 1942, to a coal mining father and mother who was a housewife, Dave and Lizzie (Burke) McIntosh, in the small coal camp town of Weeksbury, KY, in Floyd County. He was the 3rd eldest of 8 children, and is survived by siblings Lucille Abbott, Franklin, IN, Charles McIntosh, Dunnellon, FL, David (Lále) McIntosh, Inverness, FL, Jeroma Miller, Franklin, IN, and Donald (Brenda) McIntosh, Greenwood, IN. He is preceded in death by sisters Hazel (Tom) Griffin and Dorothy McIntosh, and brothers-in-law Bud Abbott and George Miller. He is also survived by his loving father-in-law, Allen “Red” Hamilton and brothers-in-law Scotty Hamilton and Brad Hamilton, of Weeksbury, KY. He was preceded in death by his mother-in-law Sara Jo Hamilton. A host of other family members and friends also survive. John married the love of his life, Priscilla Jo Hamilton, on May 25, 1985, at Wheelwright Freewill Baptist, where he and Priscilla were members. To this union was born 3 children, John Robert “Rob” McIntosh II, and twin daughters Sarah Jane and Rebekah Jo McIntosh. He is survived by his children and daughter-in-law/bonus daughter Eva Jane McIntosh.

John was a man full of life and wonder, with a thirst for knowledge. His desire to learn and hard work earned him the Valedictorian status of his graduating class at Wheelwright High School (1960), as well as continued education and graduation at University of Kentucky in 1964 with a Bachelor’s of mining engineering degree. Once he had completed his education there, several years later he was called upon to serve his country, and willingly took upon the role as Medic in the United States Army, during 1967-68 and the ‘Tet Offensive.” Here he would earn his Purple Heart from being wounded in battle. John traveled and lived many different places once back from Vietnam. From working on a ship yard in Louisiana on oil rigs for a while, to ending up in Oceanside California, selling real estate, facilitating mortgages and even selling cars for a period. He was a people person and loved being around others, excelling everywhere he worked and built a career. His final career path took him into the United States Postal Service, where he worked his way up from City Carrier to Postmaster, in which he served at several different offices and roles before retiring.

Beyond all of this, John would tell you of most importance was the story of how the Lord Jesus Christ beckoned him home from the west coast in the 80’s, by way of an automobile accident. Having gone through some trials, he felt the urge to come back to East Kentucky, where he came under conviction through attending church with his cousin, Reverend Lonard Burke. On May 31 of 1981, He surrendered his heart to the Lord at Cowpen Freewill Baptist Church in Pike County, Kentucky, soon after being baptized in Raccoon Creek in Pike County.

John cared deeply for his wife, children and family, and nothing satisfied him more than spending quality time with them. He was a grilling master (most of the children’s birthdays consisted of cookouts with the immediate and extended family where he would masterfully “doctor up” the baked beans and grill hamburgers and hotdogs, making sure to make Priscilla’s extra well done, or as he would refer to it, “making her burnt offerings”). He enjoyed time at home and outdoors playing with the kids, working in the garden, or building something with his hands. He also loved playing card games with his family and with a keen observation and memory, beating him at games was a feat not often accomplished. He loved watching his UK Wildcats play basketball, often opining on their inability to keep a lead, but never quite frustrated enough to give up on them. He was multi-talented and had a great depth of knowledge on so many subjects, reading regularly as a pastime on many subjects. And his humor and quick wit always kept family, friends, even total strangers on their toes. He had a great mind for Scripture memorization, to the point that many that came into contact with him assumed he had to be a minister himself. No, he just loved his Creator and knowing all he could about His Word. In his later years, before dementia started to take away his memory, he relished time spent with his wife in retirement, taking drives, going to visit the kids and other family, and spending time with good friends such as Benton and Teresia Crum, James and Jeanne Meade, and many others. He appreciated his Veteran buddies, “the Good Ol’ Boys,” and with dedication to the cause, helped many of them and other family members that were fellow Veterans gain their benefits, which were richly deserved.

John loved to teach the Word of God, and regularly taught Sunday School in churches he was involved in. In later years he would have Bible studies at home with friends and neighbors. You could see the excitement in his eyes and smile when he would find a verse or section of Scripture fascinating, and had a passion to see others enjoy it as much as he did. He loved hymns such as “Victory in Jesus,” “He Set Me Free” and “He Abides”... a common theme being the release from the clutch of sin that God’s grace and mercy deliver us from if we believe, repent and serve Jesus.

Going through the challenges he faced with afflictions, from Parkinson’s to dementia, and even earlier setbacks throughout life, he handled them all with grace and humility. No doubt it was troublesome and taxing when his mind, then his body, began to fail him. But he was a testament to the very end of being swift to hear, slow to speak, and slow to anger. John’s faith was made sight Friday morning, and were he here today, he would tell you, his family and dear friends, “Come go with me, put your trust in the Father, let’s live with Him forevermore”!

Funeral services will be conducted Wednesday, October 14, 2026, at Slab Camp Christian Church (850 E. Clack Mountain Road, Clearfield, KY 40313) with Pastor Greg Bowman officiating. Burial will follow at Forest Lawn Memorial Gardens. Full military honors will be presented by Morehead American Legion Post 126.

Pallbearers will be Rob McIntosh, Benton Crum, Scotty Hamilton, Brad Hamilton, Anthony Hall, Kevin Snyder, Caleb Goss. Honorary Pallbearers will be Donald McIntosh, Joshua Plank, Ken Robinson.

Visitation will be Tuesday, October 13, 2026, from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m. at Northcutt & Son Home for Funerals (400 Fraley Drive, Morehead, KY 40351) and again on Wednesday (October 14, 2026) at Slab Camp Christian Church from 11 a.m. until the funeral service at 1 p.m.

View memorial tribute or sign guestbook at www.northcuttandson.com

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 “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” ~Hebrews 11:1

“We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.” ~2 Corinthians 5:8

“For the Son of man is come to save that which was lost.” ~Matthew 18:11

“I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” ~Philippians 4:13

“I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.” ~2 Timothy 4:7-8