John Grady "Johnny" Bonner

Funeral services for John Grady “Johnny” Bonner, 76, of Huntington will be held Sunday, January 27, 2019 at 2:00 p.m. at Harmony Hill Baptist Church with Dr. John W. Greene and Pastor Lamar Denby officiating. Interment will follow in the Huntington Oddfellows Cemetery Cemetery.

Mr. Bonner was born August 1, 1942 in Huntington, Texas to the late Ruby (Shofner) and Johnnie Clifton Bonner, and died Wednesday, January 23, 2019 in Huntington.

Mr. Bonner was a lifetime resident of Huntington. He was a member of Harmony Hill Baptist Church. He worked at Texas Power and Light as a young man but soon took a job at Lufkin Telephone Exchange as a linesman. He retired from there after 37 years of service. After retirement he continued contract phone work which landed him in Colorado, where he worked for PC Telecom for five years.

Daddy loved being outdoors. He was always at the farm feeding his ducks and deer, planting trees, killing snakes or just piddling around the pond. He always had an excuse to get to the pond. His latest excuses were the Water Turkeys. They had taken up residence on the un-finished bridge. So, he spent some time using them for target practice, then he hung utility orange tape as flags along the bridge to deter them from moving in.

When it came to his kids and grandkids, Daddy felt it was important to pass on the greatest songs of his time…Big John, Purple People Eater and Running Bear. But the most important thing he wanted us to learn was how important the integrity and character of a Christian man was.

Numerous stories could be told about Daddy, mostly hilarious we’re sure. Like the story about the rocks in his pocket. One story we all know, would be about all the great friends and coworkers he had. The Little Boots Bunch, his Feed Store “Meetings”, River Gang, Dairy Queen Lunches and all his Harmony Hill friends.

The best story of all - he was and always will be the greatest man and love of our lives.

Survivors include his wife of 56 years, Wanda (Page) Bonner of Huntington; daughters and sons-in-law, Temple and Eric Keen of Denton and Shanna and Jimmy English of Lufkin; grandchildren, John Luke English, Kallie Keen and Colby Keen; sister-in-law, Florine Bonner of Magnolia; and numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Paul Bonner and Jack Bonner; and sisters, Sue Bonner Kirkland and Bonnie Bonner Simms.

Pallbearers will be Jimmy English, Luke English, Eric Keen, Colby Keen, Dale Kirkland and Kip Stone.

Honorary pallbearers will be Johnny’s Small Group at Harmony Hill.

Memorial contributions may be made to Harmony Hill Baptist Church, 2708 S. Chestnut Street, Lufkin, Texas 75901 or The Joseph House, P.O. Box 150554, Lufkin, Texas 75915.

The family will welcome friends and loved ones from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Saturday evening at Carroway Funeral Home in Lufkin.

Memories and condolences may be added at www.carrowayfuneralhome.com.

Carroway Funeral Home, Lufkin, directors.