The Rev. Dr. John W. Bardsley Jr

John Wallace Bardsley, Jr., 85, of Fall Branch entered the Life Triumphant on November 9, 2014. A native of Appalachia, Va, Dr. Bardsley graduated from Appalachia High School, Emory and Henry College, B.A.; Drew University School of Theology, M. Div.; Geneva-St. Albans Theological College, D. Rel. and then additional graduate study at Drew Theological School. He served United Methodist congregations in the New York Annual Conference including Smithtown UMC and Huntington UMC. In Holston Annual Conference, he served Jonesville UMC and Emory-Smyth Chapel in Virginia before retiring in 1994. After retirement, he served several United Methodist churches as interim pastor including Fall Branch-Logans Chapel UMC, Valley View UMC and McFerrin UMC.

Dr. Bardsley received numerous awards and honors for his work in community activities as well as in church including New York State Chaplain, Salvation Army Special Award, Distinguished Alumnus-Emory and Henry College, Smithtown Fire Department Plaque of Appreciation, Brotherhood Award-Parkinson's Disease Therapy Center, YMCA Brotherhood Award, Appreciation by Kings Park Psychiatric Center for 14 years of service, seven as Chairman of Board of Visitors.

He published several articles and books including; Beneath the Cross - "Sermons Preached During Lent," Religion in Life - "John Wesley and Articles of Religion" with Bishop Nolan B. Harmon. John also wrote his autobiography entitled, He Called... Where It Led.

When Dr. Bardsley left Smithtown after 23 years, these paragraphs were written by the publisher and editor of The Smithtown Messenger:

"Pastor Bardsley has been doing more in Smithtown than preaching and ministering to his congregation. He has been tending to the needs, the soul, the spirit of the entire community. He has done it well.

The development of the Parkinson's Therapy Center is a tribute to his energy and his ability to inspire people in cooperative, purposeful activity. He has been a conscience, calling attention to wrongs, encouraging officials and citizens to face problems dealing with the concerns of the young, the old, and the needy. He has constantly encouraged people to be and do their best.

The entire town must be grateful, however, that we have for so long benefited from his strength, his wisdom, his concern, his kindness, and his friendship. The lessons taught by The Reverend John Bardsley, the examples he set, remain with Smithtown."

He was preceded in death by his parents, John Wallace, Sr., and Josephine Hartsock Bardsley; and wife of 60 years, Sara Jo Greever Bardsley.

He is survived by his daughter, Donna Bardsley of Kingsport; son, John Bardsley and wife Gina of Anchorage, AK; grandson, Alexander Bardsley of Anchorage, AK; brother, Dr. James Bardsley of Clinton, SC; niece, Laura Bardsley Houck, of Gray, SC; nephew, Jim Bardsley of N. Charleston, SC; niece, Debbie Bates and her family of Wise, VA; his godchild, Morgan Phillips of Johnson City; "Kingsport" daughter, Krystal Tignor; "Long Island" son, Dr. Bob Leibold, Amityville, NY; and a host of close friends.

A memorial service will be conducted at First Broad Street United Methodist Church, Monday at 2 pm with Rev. Mahan Archer and The Rev. Mickey Rainwater officiating. The family will receive friends immediately following the memorial service in the church fellowship hall.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to, The Sara Jo and John Bardsley Scholarship fund of Tennessee Wesleyan College, 204 East College Street, Athens, TN 37303, The Endowment Fund of First Broad Street United Methodist Church, 100 East Church Circle, Kingsport, TN 37660 or Appalachia United Methodist Church, 527 W. Main Street, Appalachia, VA 24216.