John A. Fawcett (1901-1979), Fair Grove, Missouri

A nationally recognized Jersey breeder and dairy leader, John Fawcett graduated from the University of Missouri Short Course in Agriculture in 1921. He bought a farm near Fair Grove and started a Jersey herd. He married his wife Laura, fondly known is “Granny,” in 1923. John worked as a DHIA tester in 1926-1927. In 1928 he moved to Rogers, Arkansas to manage a milk plant. In 1933 Carnation Company bought the Rogers plant and in 1936 bought two cheese plants at Ava. John moved to Ava to build a milk supply. The plant had 24 producers the first year but increased to 2,773 producers in six years. Milk, during the depression, was selling for 54 cents per hundred (5¢ a gallon).

John and Granny had continued to maintain and improve their Jersey herd. In 1938 they had the high producing herd in Missouri. Many outstanding individuals were developed. In 1942 Wilk Hyer hired John to establish the Jersey herd at the School of the Ozarks. The herd with many outstanding animals held nearly every Jersey production record in the state. In 1945 John took a three years leave from the School of the Ozarks to manage the MFA Artificial Breeding Association at Springfield. He was an early director and helped organize the National Association of Animal Breeders.

In 1959 John left the School of the Ozarks and went with Farmland Industries to build a Holstein herd and manage their research farm at Trimble. He retired in 1966 and returned to Fair Grove. He was named a director and chairman of the Livestock Division of the Ozark Empire Fair.

Through the years John and Granny became known for their kindness and assistance to young dairymen. John was active in many local and state dairy organizations and always willing “to go that extra mile” to help a worthy cause. John was well known as a story teller and Granny has been lauded as “the best cook in the Ozarks.”

John and Granny have two daughters, Susan Jane and Patrica Ann, and four grandchildren.