Ouachita County Louisiana Archives Obituaries.....HUNTSMAN, JOHNNY June 28, 2017 ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/la/lafiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: GINA BROWN rootsgirl36@gmail.com August 17, 2017, 5:38 am News Star World - June 29, 2017 JOHNNY HUNTSMAN Johnny Huntsman, founder of Johnny's Pizza House died at his home June 28,2017 fr from complications of Alzheimer's Disease. Johnny was married over 30 years to his wife, Sharon, who survives him. He is also survived by his daughter, Marian (Joe) Archibald of Statesville, N.C. , his son, John (Frank Dorrence) of Phoenix, Arizona, and his daughter, Heather Huntsman, of Monroe, Louisiana. Johnny is survived by his sister, Marilyn (Richard) Soignier of West Monroe; his sister Cindy (Robert) Freeman of Crossett, Arkansas; his brothers Oogie (Faye) Huntsman and Chester(Laura) Huntsman of Crossett, Arkansas. He is also survived by several grandchildren and great grandchildren. Johnny was preceded in death by his mother and father, Dorothy Newton Huntsman and Marion Ellis Huntsman; his brother, Freddie Huntsman; Lacey Huntsman, Johnny's daughter and Joe Mills, son -in - law. John Ellis Huntsman was born to Mr. and Mrs. Marion Huntsman at their home in Stut Stuttgart, Arkansas on February 1940 at 4AM. Johnny was always smart, active, invo involved and fun to be around. Johnny grew up in a family of duck hunters. He had had many fond memories of hunting from the fender of the family car with his dadd daddy, uncles, and cousins. Johnny became a marksman at an early age. He also perf perfected the art\ skill of calling ducks and was named the Junior Duck Calling Cham Champion at the Stuttgart Duck Festival in the early '50's. Johnny excelled academically and athletically during his school years. His qu quick wit and charismatic smile made Johnny super popular and he enjoyed the le leadership role as WMHS quarterback. Following graduation from West Monroe High School, Johnny's desire to play football took him to Graceland University in Lamoni, Iowa. His passion for football continued and changed his area of study to Health and Physical Education, so his ambition of being a coach could be fulfilled. His time up north is also significant for another reason. One of Johnny's part-time jobs in Lamoni Lamoni was to manage his Coach's restaurant "The Pizza Shack". Johnny always said, The first pizz said, The first pizza I saw, I ate." Needless to say he could not have imagined how many pizzas were how many pizzas were in his future. An opportunity to teach and coach at Johnny's Alma Mater, brought him home to West Monroe. After West Monroe. After several years and several jobs, Johnny took a risk that would change his l would change his life and the lives of many others. He opened "the only link in the world's smalle the world's smallest pizza chain" across from ULM in 1967. Circumstances lead to bankruptcy twen to bankruptcy twenty years later. Johnny's leadership and tenacity, as well as, the unwavering loy the unwavering loyalty and hard work of Johnny's Pizza House employees brought the business back the business back to success. Over the decades thousands of employees have worked for Johnny's Pizza House. How many thousan How many thousands have enjoyed a Johnny's Sweep the Kitchen? Johnny's devotion and appreciation of those who helped him make Johnny's Pizza House the succ House the success it has become, was most exhibited when in 2000 he established an Employee St an Employee Stock Ownership Plan and sold 36% of his personal stock to the plan without any mo without any monetary contribution from the employees. Hundreds of current and former employe former employees now own a part of Johnny's Pizza House. Throughout the years, Johnny has been a motivational speaker at graduations, banquets, an banquets, and other local events. He believed any person could be successful if they followe they followed this simple formula : (1) show up (2) show up on time (3) show up on time read on time ready to go to work. Johnny volunteered countless hours to organizations, clubs, benefits and causes. Fr causes. Frequently, Johnny would be in leadership roles and always enjoyed events and events and projects that improved the lives of others. Johnny's life was full of love, fun, laughter, and adventure. He enjoyed snow skiing, skiing, golfing, fishing, hunting, and telling jokes and stories. Davis Island Hunting Hunting Club brought Johnny many years of friendship and camaraderie. There were num were numerous beer soaked discussions over poker hands and around the fire pit. Time marches on and Johnny began to lose interest in his previous pastimes. His eye si eye sight diminished and his physical abilities began to decline. Johnny's once brilli brilliant mind became confused, disoriented, and unable to calculate simple math. math. This progressed to his inability to care for himself. Alzheimer's Disease invade invaded his brain and consumed his life. Johnny remained at home during his extensive illness. Until the end of his life life, Johnny was surrounded by family and friends who brought love into the home home. Special thanks to all the physicians, nurses, and therapists who were so kind an and professional during Johnny's illness. Special thanks to Sandra Bailey, a de dear friend and excellent caregiver. God sent Sandra to love our family at just th the right time. As God does. Visitation with family will be held Friday, June 30,2017 from noon-1:30pm at Firs First Baptist Church of Oak Grove in Oak Grove, Louisiana . Services will begin at 2 at 2pm , Friday, June 30, 2017 under the direction of Cox Funeral Home at First Bapt Baptist Church of Oak Grove. NO FLOWERS, rather than flowers, please donate to someone who needs assistance or or Oak Grove Elementary at 206 Tiger Drive, Oak Grove, LA 71263. Please remember one of Johnny Huntsman's mottos :" If your gonna help someone, help them as much as you can." File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/la/ouachita/obits/h/huntsman6343nob.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.net/lafiles/ File size: 6.3 Kb