NEW ORLEANS, La. — John Martel Norwood, 77, longtime professor at the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville, passed away on February 15, 2026, in New Orleans. He died from complications from dementia.
He was born on January 11, 1949, to Colvin Gamble Norwood Sr. (“Pete”) and Dorothy Elise Pecot Norwood (“Dot”) and raised in Franklin, Louisiana, with his siblings Carol Ann Cram Kilburn and Colvin Gamble Norwood Jr. (“Woody”).
John graduated from Hanson Memorial High School in 1966 at the top of his class. He was awarded a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1970 from LSU in Baton Rouge and Juris Doctor degree from Tulane Law School in 1973. In 1977 John returned to LSU to earn his M.B.A.
A few months before he was to graduate from law school, he noticed a posting from Northeast Louisiana University in Monroe seeking a recent J.D. to teach business law. He applied for and got the job, beginning a career that brought him immense personal satisfaction as well as high marks from his students.
In 1981 John accepted a position teaching business law in the Business School at the University of Arkansas, where he played a pivotal role in developing the Honors program and mentoring students. Many students have expressed their gratitude, acknowledging his guidance and influence on their careers. The winner of several teaching awards over the years, John loved his profession, approaching it from the start with enthusiasm and dedication. John retired in 2021 after 40 years at the University of Arkansas.
Burial will be private in the family cemetery in Franklin.
Colleagues, students and friends are invited to attend a Celebration of Life in honor of Professor John Norwood. This event will be held April 17, 2026, in Fayetteville at 2:30 p.m. in the Reynolds Center Auditorium at the Walton College of Business on the University of Arkansas campus.