Johnnie Lee Greenwalt

HEYBURN - Johnnie Lee Greenwalt, 84, of Roswell, N.M., and formerly of Heyburn, passed away at his home on Tuesday, Dec. 30, 2014.

He was born on July 21, 1930, in Atoka, Okla., the son of George Lee and Lillie Mae (Wheat) Greenwalt. His formal education lasted to the third grade. At that time polio struck his family. Johnnie left school to help support his family. He met his future wife, Montais Jones, in Hugh, Okla. They were married on April 6, 1953, and remained married for 61 years. He lived in the area of Hugo, Okla., and Paris, Texas, until moving to Myrtle Creek, Ore., in 1968. His uncle, John, invited him to move there to take advantage of opportunities as a welder and auto mechanic. He injured his back and returned to school to complete his education. He earned his GED and small engine repair certificate.

Being able to read his Bible was a big motivation in his return to school. Johnnie was committed to being a Godly man, and faithfully read his Bible every day until his final days.

He was a gregarious entrepreneur at heart. He took on the task of extending a two bedroom house into four bedrooms to accommodate his family of six girls and two boys. He completed the project having never built a house before - learning as he progressed. He later successfully built and remodeled several houses. He moved to Roswell, N.M., in 2005, for health reasons.

Johnnie was preceded in death by his parents; four siblings; and one daughter, Brenda Joyce Vaughn.

He is survived by his faithful wife, Montais Greenwalt; his children, Jay and Janie Greenwalt, Maybelle and Nelson Wright, Martha and David Bragg, Jimmie Pearl and Tom VanVlack, Sheila Kuykendall, Gene Vaughn, David Greenwalt, and Judy and Eric Pichette; 20 grandchildren; 24 great-grandchildren; two sisters, LaVerne Greenwalt and Mary Owens; and five brothers, Frankie, Troy, Loy, Leslie, and Herbert Greenwalt.

The funeral will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 8, 2015, at the Apostolic House of Prayer, 94 E. Baseline Rd., in Rupert. Burial will follow in the Rupert Cemetery.

Friends may call from 6 until 8 p.m. Wednesday, Jan.7, 2015, at the Rasmussen Funeral Home, 1350 E. 16th St., in Burley, and one hour prior to the service on Thursday at the church.