Seneca, MO - John Earl Needham, 86, Seneca, MO passed into eternal rest May 25, 2025 at the Seneca House Nursing Home after an short illness.

John Earl Needham was born December 15, 1938 in Delaware County, Oklahoma the son of Lorenzo Earl and Virvle (McCarty) Needham. He had lived in the area most of his life. John was a graduate of Grove High School and then went on to NEO and later to Tahlequah and received his Masters in Education. John was in the education field for more than 40 years. He taught for a few years, he was Principal of Seneca School District for 20 years, Principal of Sulivan, MO, Barnsdall, OK, Hutchinson, KS, Fort Gibson, OK and a Superintendent of Turkey Ford School, OK. John was an avid reader and especially reading Sherlock Holmes Novels. John enjoyed sports, especially Golf and Tennis. He attended Seneca Christian Church.

John Earl Needham married Joanne Stevens August 14, 1964 in Seneca, MO and she survives.

Additional survivors include two sons; Brent Needham and wife Michelle and Brad Needham; one brother, Jerry Needham and a host of friends.

The family will receive friends from 1 to 2 pm, Friday, May 30, 2025 at the Seneca Christian Church with funeral services following at 2 pm, with, Joshua Frakes and Doug Lawson Officiating. Burial will be in the Seneca Cemetery.

Arrangements under the direction of Campbell-Biddlecome Funeral Home, Seneca, MO.