On August 6, 2022, Johnnie Lee Graybill (83) of Coffeyville, Kansas was called home to be with his Lord and Savior. He was met a Heaven’s Gate by his loving wife Linda, of 64 years, who had been waiting for him for 52 days.
Johnnie was born September 10, 1938, to Clarence & Helen Peck Graybill in Dewey County Oklahoma, North and East of Rhea. Johnnie attended elementary school at Prairie Star in Custer County and then completed his education and graduated at Leedey Public School in 1956. Shortly after graduating he enlisted into the United States Air Force. In 1958 he met and married the love of his life Linda Joan Denney in Clinton, OK. Johnnie served in the Air Force until November 1962 where he discharged as a S/Sg E-5 serving most of his service as an Air Policeman. After leaving the Air Force him, Linda, Kim and Robin moved back to Custer County Oklahoma so Johnnie could follow in the family footsteps of farming. Johnnie did hold some part-time jobs during his life, and they were working at the Leedey Cotton Gin, Leedey Propane and Gas, Leedey Public School as a PT Bus Driver. When Linda and he bought Linda’s Café he had the responsibility of making fresh chili in the morning, donuts and biscuits, sometimes when lunch cooks were running short on time, he would mash the potatoes. Probably his hardest job was overseeing the French Fry Cutting child labor. After Johnnie, Linda and Lori moved to Kansas in 1979 Johnnie worked on the Graybill farm at Edna for his father and had a parttime job as a security officer for Amazon. His most fun and calming job for him was creating wood crafts with Linda at their Poor Farm Crafts.
Johnnie never met a stranger. He had the gift to talk with anyone and for a long time. One time his talking with a neighbor almost caused his youngest daughter to be born in the car. But If you had the opportunity to meet and visit, you had a friend forever.
Johnnie is survived by his children: Kimberly Strunk (Danny) Topeka, KS, Robin Graybill (Patricia) New Braunfels, TX, and Lori Kearns (Darrell) Inman, KS.
His grandchildren Alyson Welch (Jason) Jamie Boss (Brad), Tyler Graybill, Zach Stunk, Lexi McHugh (Derek), Katelynne Strunk, Madison Richert (Layne), Hannah Graybill, Carlos (Gabriela) Graybill, Kayla Graybill, and Joseph Graybill, great-grandchildren: Dylan Welch, Alyssa LeClair (Jordan) Juliana Miller, Mayli Miller, Aubrey Boss, Kinsley Boss, Cutter King, Kahler Brown, Bronson Strunk, Brecklynne Richert, Zuri Strunk, Khalyx Richert, and Emerlee Richert. Her great-great-granddaughter Amelia LeClair. His sister-in-law Sue Graybill, his dear friends Jack and Frances Ray and Betty Kearns, and many more dear friends in Oklahoma and Kansas. He left behind MANY nieces and nephews who loved their Uncle Johnnie. His uncles, Albert Graybill and Jimmy Peck.
Graveside funeral services will be held on Wednesday, August 10, 2022, at 10:00am at Richland Cemetery near Angola.
Friends may call on Tuesday, August 9, 2022 from 1:00 – 8:00 p.m. at the David W. Barnes Funeral Home in Coffeyville. The family will greet friends from 6:00-8:00p.m. at the funeral home.
The family suggests memorial contributions be made to Western Way Cowboy Church and may be left at the funeral home or mailed in care of David W. Barnes Funeral Home, 306 N. Cline Rd, Coffeyville, KS 67337.
We’d like to leave you with one set of wise words from Johnnie “Never let your gas get below half, it’s cheaper to fill up the top half.”
