John "Bo" McAllister

John "Bo" McAllister, 75, died unexpectedly on August 3, 2022 at the VA Hospital. He was born October 6, 1946 in Newport, AR, the son of Charles and Lorene (Grant) McAllister.

After graduating from Newport High School in 1964, Bo went to Arkansas State University where he met his future wife, Vicki Merck. They married while in college on September 1, 1967. Bo graduated from ASU in 1968 and was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the US Army. Having finished flight school Bo flew as a helicopter pilot in Vietnam in 1970. Following this tour of duty Bo and his family were stationed in Amberg, Germany for 3 years before being stationed in Fort Knox, KY and Fort Hood, TX. In 1978, Bo chose to go into the Army reserves and move his family back to Little Rock, AR where he worked for BEI electronics as a Project Manager. While working at BEI, he attended UALR Law School and graduated in 1986. He practiced Law until going to work for the Diocese of Little Rock as Director of Lay Ministry. While continuing to work with the Diocese, Bo entered the Diaconate Program and was ordained a deacon in 1993. He later obtained a degree in Canon Law from Catholic University of America in Washington, DC in 2005 and became Chancellor of Canonical Affairs for the Diocese of Little Rock in the same year. He retired in 2015.

Bo will be greatly missed not only by his family and friends but the Christ the King community. Bo is predeceased by his parents Charles and Lorene McAllister of Newport, AR, and his brother Larry McAllister of Florida. Surviving are Vicki McAllister, his loving wife of 54 years; his son, Marcus McAllister of Paris, France; his daughter, Wendy McAllister Bloom of Lewisville, TX; and his sisters Crystal Wood of Little Rock, AR, Sue Rolle of Virginia Beach, VA, and Kim Free of Bradford, AR.

Family will receive visitors at Christ the King Catholic Church on Monday August 8, 2022 beginning at 6:30 PM. Mass of Christian Burial will take place on Tuesday August 9, 2022 at 2:00 PM. Private family inurnment will occur at a later date.