Johnnie served in the United States Air Force for a period of 20 years on Active Duty from 1954-1974. Johnnie had a very distinguished Air Force career in that he served at many different bases throughout the world, with 2 years overseas duty in Iceland and other assignments in Alaska and other locations. He commenced his service in radar training, was involved with cruise missiles and other munitions. He served as the Noncommissioned Officer In Charge (NCOIC) of the gun and test range at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida. During this particular assignment, he oversaw many of the ammunition and weapons testing at the Air Base. The Air Force Special Operations Training was done during this time and Johnnie had many experiences directing those operations. He was selected for promotion to the highest enlisted rank available but due to family commitments, retired as a Senior Master Sergeant after a full 20 years of Active Military Duty. He was awarded the Airman Medal for Heroism for services rendered beyond the call of duty. This is the highest peacetime award that is given.

Upon retirement from the Air Force, He and Suzanne moved back to Stilwell.  They opened and ran a Sears Store.  He was also a member of the local Masonic Lodge.

He was well known and well liked in the community.  He will be missed.

Johnnie is survived by a loving family that includes his wife, Suzanne of the home in Stilwell, OK, nieces: Linda Howell and husband Stan of Lee’s Summit, MO, Janice Whitehead and husband Jim of Indianapolis, IN, great nephew: Wyatt Howell and wife Kathleen of Lee’s Summit, MO, a very special friend: John P Sullivan of Orlando, FL and many other relatives and friends.

Graveside Service was held Tuesday, December 22,2020 at 2:00 PM at Stilwell Cemetery under the direction of Roberts-Reed-Culver Funeral Home.

 

Thank You For Your Service!

|Stilwell City Cemetery |  |Adair County Cemeteries| |Home|

---

This site may be freely linked, but not duplicated in any way without consent.
All rights reserved! Commercial use of material within this site is prohibited!
© 2000-2024 Oklahoma Cemeteries

The information on this site is provided free for the purpose of researching your genealogy. This material may be freely used by non-commercial entities, for your own research, as long as this message remains on all copied material. The information contained in this site may not be copied to any other site without written "snail-mail" permission. If you wish to have a copy of a donor's material, you must have their permission. All information found on these pages is under copyright of Oklahoma Cemeteries. This is to protect any and all information donated. The original submitter or source of the information will retain their copyright. Unless otherwise stated, any donated material is given to Oklahoma Cemeteries to make it available online. This material will always be available at no cost, it will always remain free to the researcher.