Johnnie Lee Walters

Johnnie Lee Walter was born October 1, 1942 in Cleveland, Oklahoma. He was the son of John Adam and Oma Faye (Tilson) Walters. Johnnie was raised and attended school in Cleveland, graduating from Cleveland High School in 1961. While in high school, Johnnie was a varsity fullback and linebacker for the Cleveland Tiger Football Team. Additionally, he was an Oklahoma Golden Gloves State Champion Boxer. After completion of his education, Johnnie worked with his father John Walters at Walters Welding and was a heavy vehicle operator. In the summer of 1962, Johnnie enlisted into the service of his country in the United States Marine Corp Reserve. He was later called to active duty and serviced two tours in Vietnam as a Sergeant in the First Marine Air Wing, Marine Air Control Group 18. While traveling by bus in January of 1963, Johnnie met the love of his life Carolyn, who was returning to Marianna, Arkansas following Christmas break. While traveling, Carolyn asked about a radio playing in the bus and he indicated that he had one in his duffle bag and inquired if she liked to listen to basketball; thus starting a romance that has lasted over forty-six years. The couple was married shortly after Carolyn graduated from high school in May 26, 1963; making their initial home at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina from 1963 until 1965. When Johnnie deployed to Vietnam for his first tour in 1965, Carolyn moved to Marianna for nearly thirteen months. After Johnny returned from Vietnam, he was able to see his daughter, Wendy for the first time at the age of ten months. The couple then moved their family to the Marine Corp Base in Jacksonville, Florida where their son, Lee was born. In 1969, Sergeant Walters was deployed for his second tour to Vietnam and his family moved to the United States Marine Air Station in Beaufort, South Carolina while Johnnie was overseas. It was here that Carolyn and Johnnie had their third child, Adam in 1973. Johnnie was honorably discharged from the United States Marine Corp on December 12, 1974 and the family returned to Cleveland, Oklahoma where all three children were raised and received their education. Upon returning to Cleveland, Johnnie began assisting his father at Walters Welding, working in the oilfields of Northeastern Oklahoma welding and cleaning tank batteries. He later accepted employment with Osage Oil and Transportation in Cleveland working throughout their oil transportation system. In 1988, Johnnie was forced to medically retire from his career in the welding and tank cleaning business after a near fatal incident from breathing fumes in an exposed tank. He later recovered and accepted employment in 1991 as a custodian for the Cleveland Public School System at Cleveland High School. He was employed there for nearly ten years, retiring in 2001. Johnny was an avid Cleveland Tiger Football fan, going back to his days of playing for the Tigers in high school. He served on the Tiger Chain Gang, flipping first down markers and running the chains for over fourteen years from 1977 until 1991, never missing a home game. His favorite pastime, however, was playing golf. He has been a long time member of the Keystone Golf Club where he played golf nearly every day with his friends. Even as his health deteriorated in recent years, Johnnie continued to play as much golf as he could. Additionally, he was a University of Oklahoma Sooner Football fan and an Oklahoma State University Cowboy Basketball fan. When not on the golf course or watching or listening to his favorite local teams on television or the radio, Johnnie could be found watching ESPN. He also loved St. Louis Cardinals. He was described by his family as a devoted and loving husband, father, grandfather and brother. He was a committed and honest man that loved his country and was proud of being a United States Marine. He lived his life by the Marine Corp motto of ìSemper Fidelis,î he was always faithful to his God, his country and his family. You would certainly be reminded by one of his famous quotes if you were indebted to him, ìYou owe me some money;î a saying often heard by his children and grandchildren. Johnnie went to be with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ on Thursday, September 24, 2009 at his home in Cleveland with his loving family by his side. He was preceded in death by his parents, John and Oma Walters and a brother, Richard. Johnny was a longtime and faithful member of the First Baptist Church in Cleveland, Oklahoma where his funeral service will be held at 10:00 am, Tuesday, September 29, 2009. Full military honors will be rendered at the Woodland Cemetery recognizing Johnnieís service to his country, by the Veterans of Foreign War District 5 Honor Guard. Burial will be under the direction of the Chapman-Black Funeral Home with Rev. Greg Hall officiating. He is survived by his wife Carolyn of the home; daughter and her husband, Wendy and Chris Bowman of Cleveland, Oklahoma; two sons, Lee Walters of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma and Adam Walters of Cleveland, Oklahoma; three grandchildren, Lacie Walters of Cleveland, Oklahoma, Ethan Walters of Bixby, Oklahoma and J. W. Walters of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma; a great-grandson, Carrson Lee Walters of Cleveland, Oklahoma; and a sister and her husband, Phyllis Jane and Wendell Weller.