I remember Johnny well. There were a few of us who ran around a little bit together having "fun". The group included Curtis Horne,Tom "City" Collins, Bobby Cheatam, Paul Sturney, Craig Reagor, Michael Pugh, Steve McCallister, Chris Hebert and more I am sure.I remember one night having a bottle rocket war at the baseball field and thinking how insane it was, but Johnny laughing the whole time. Johnny's dad ran a hotel on Phillips Highway and I think a lot of us worked there at one time or other. I remember after our graduation there was a party at the hotel and "oh my" what a time! Johnny was a very great guy and just loved life. I remember all too well the day he and Mitch died shortly after graduation and how it made me aware of how quickly life can be taken from us even at such a young age. "Country" Tom Collins
Found myself smiling at country Tom Collins' comments and knew that crowd he mentioned---that group did know how to enjoy the simple things of life and sometimes the fringe things as well. Losing Johnny and Mitch was probably the first time for a lot of us to lose a high school friend, both together and so popular made it particularly hard. Remember the packed funeral, made a lot of us think as Solomon said in Ecclesiastes 7 that a house of mourning was to be had above a house of celebration for it made each examine his life and contemplate his passing------------did that for me!
I agree with what Lee said. For me the death of Johnny was the first classmate I knew to pass away. I knew Johnny since 1st grade. I remember first learning about his death on the 11pm news and could not believe such a freak accident could happen to someone I grew up with. I also remember my mother taking me to the funeral home. It was the first time I had ever seen an open casket. To this day that vision remains in my head. Such a tragic loss.
I remember Johnny's smile and the fact that he was kind to everyone. My Sister is married to his younger brother, Patrick. I'll pass these comments along to him and his older brother David. They will appreciate these memories of their Brother.
My brother David and I wanted to thank everyone who has posted a comment about our brother Johnny. It's hard to believe that he has been gone so long...it seems like it was yesterday when our family got the horrible news. When he died I was 11 and David was 22. Both of us have 2 grown children and wish they could of known their Uncle Johnny. Anyway, we think about him often and miss him terribly. Thank you again for the nice comments and feel free to contact me if you wish. Patrick Mullarkey pmullarkey@ccjax.com
Johnny & I became good friends our senior year. We had 2 classes together and he would tell me his troubles & keep me laughing, as well. We had Mrs. Hartzog for English. She was a great teacher but a stern taskmaster. Johnny knew just what to say to crack her austere facade & she couldn't help but laugh! Johnny was a wonderful guy and I'll never forget him!
Johnny was great....so good natured and easy to be with. He picked me up for every Alpha Hi-Y meeting..(Monday evenings I think) and was always fun to be around. I remember him always making fun of his middle name...He is remembered well with love.
I worked at the Howard Johnson's across the street from Johnny's motel. He would come running across Phillip's Highway to pick up an order for a guest. He always had a big smile, so sweet, funny and very friendly. Doug Durant worked at the motel too. Debbie Crabtree (she worked with me) and I couldn't wait for either one of them to run over, it made our night.
It was so sad about Johnny and Mitch, it still is.
Tom Jennings Collins
I remember Johnny well. There were a few of us who ran around a little bit together having "fun". The group included Curtis Horne,Tom "City" Collins, Bobby Cheatam, Paul Sturney, Craig Reagor, Michael Pugh, Steve McCallister, Chris Hebert and more I am sure.I remember one night having a bottle rocket war at the baseball field and thinking how insane it was, but Johnny laughing the whole time. Johnny's dad ran a hotel on Phillips Highway and I think a lot of us worked there at one time or other. I remember after our graduation there was a party at the hotel and "oh my" what a time! Johnny was a very great guy and just loved life. I remember all too well the day he and Mitch died shortly after graduation and how it made me aware of how quickly life can be taken from us even at such a young age."Country" Tom Collins
Warren Lee Popwell
Found myself smiling at country Tom Collins' comments and knew that crowd he mentioned---that group did know how to enjoy the simple things of life and sometimes the fringe things as well. Losing Johnny and Mitch was probably the first time for a lot of us to lose a high school friend, both together and so popular made it particularly hard. Remember the packed funeral, made a lot of us think as Solomon said in Ecclesiastes 7 that a house of mourning was to be had above a house of celebration for it made each examine his life and contemplate his passing------------did that for me!Margaret Elaine Rose
I agree with what Lee said. For me the death of Johnny was the first classmate I knew to pass away. I knew Johnny since 1st grade. I remember first learning about his death on the 11pm news and could not believe such a freak accident could happen to someone I grew up with. I also remember my mother taking me to the funeral home. It was the first time I had ever seen an open casket. To this day that vision remains in my head. Such a tragic loss.Sharon Lee [Sherry] Sikes (Lyford)
I remember Johnny's smile and the fact that he was kind to everyone. My Sister is married to his younger brother, Patrick. I'll pass these comments along to him and his older brother David. They will appreciate these memories of their Brother.Patrick Mullarkey
My brother David and I wanted to thank everyone who has posted a comment about our brother Johnny. It's hard to believe that he has been gone so long...it seems like it was yesterday when our family got the horrible news. When he died I was 11 and David was 22. Both of us have 2 grown children and wish they could of known their Uncle Johnny. Anyway, we think about him often and miss him terribly. Thank you again for the nice comments and feel free to contact me if you wish.Patrick Mullarkey
pmullarkey@ccjax.com
Susan Hiatt [Susie] Chappell (Mittelstadt)
Johnny & I became good friends our senior year. We had 2 classes together and he would tell me his troubles & keep me laughing, as well. We had Mrs. Hartzog for English. She was a great teacher but a stern taskmaster. Johnny knew just what to say to crack her austere facade & she couldn't help but laugh! Johnny was a wonderful guy and I'll never forget him!Gretchen Dean (Mitchell)
Johnny was great....so good natured and easy to be with. He picked me up for every Alpha Hi-Y meeting..(Monday evenings I think) and was always fun to be around. I remember him always making fun of his middle name...He is remembered well with love.Barbara Jo Lerner (Deal)
Was going through some photos and found many pictures of our senior year. Who wasn't in love with Johnny??? He was simply adorable and beyond kind.Gwendolyn Elouise [Gwen] Butler
I remember Johnny at a distance.
Those pretty eyes!
When I saw the obituary, I was deeply saddened. Too bad he could not continue his education.
But as an adult, I realize he went with his ancestors - as a fun person, he would not want us to fret.
Jeanne Kathleen Houser (Cohen)
I worked at the Howard Johnson's across the street from Johnny's motel. He would come running across Phillip's Highway to pick up an order for a guest. He always had a big smile, so sweet, funny and very friendly. Doug Durant worked at the motel too. Debbie Crabtree (she worked with me) and I couldn't wait for either one of them to run over, it made our night.
It was so sad about Johnny and Mitch, it still is.
Jeanne Houser