Johnny Wayne Washburn's Obituary
In loving memory of our dad, Johnny Wayne Washburn, 81, who passed away on October 2, 2022 after a long battle with Alzheimers and Dementia. He was the devoted husband of Brenda Greene Washburn for 61 years and was a loving father of Rev. Dr. Pam Washburn and Kevin Washburn, JD. His impact in this world has changed the lives of many and he will be deeply missed by all who knew him.
His stoic, no nonsense, determined exterior masked the kindest of souls. Our dad was a man of the deepest faith whose qualities of fun-loving, good nature, kindness, and generosity could often be overlooked and lost in the serious nature of his expression and a zealous work ethic. In his words and his actions he taught his children the value of hard work alongside the morals of a faith based life. He was a man who worked tirelessly to ensure that his family had everything they needed. He faced every challenge in life with admirable ingenuity, strength and courage. He functioned not only out of a sense of determined accountability to his God, his spouse and his family, his generosity was driven by the same practice of faith to care for those who were struggling or for whom life presented overwhelming obstacles.
Johnny was the ninth child of Waylan and Frances Washburn born on June 10, 1941. Early in life as the youngest of nine, he learned the importance of hard work as the son of a sharecropper. During his Lattimore High School days he pursued his love of sports and competition participating in baseball and basketball. However, he also showed a flair for performance with his three year involvement in the glee club. It was in the summer of his sophomore year in high school that he met the love of his life Brenda Ann Greene. As graduation approached, Johnny followed in the footsteps of his great grandfather and his brother pursuing a call to the ministry. As a bi-vocational minister, Johnny soon begin to show great promise and success in the business world. While he stepped away from the pulpit, throughout the remainder of his life he lived a dedicated life of devotion to his faith and his God. He quickly climbed the corporate ladder which came with several relocations from North Carolina to New Jersey, New York, Alabama, Tennessee, and Mississippi where he retired. Throughout their marriage of 61 years, they weathered the storms of change together, each time building a life and a home where they could build on their happiness and their children could thrive.
Through the living of his life, the example he set instilled in his children the same devotion to faith, family, character and work ethic. Although laughter and smiles were rare, when you experienced either it was contagious. His mischievous humor revealed his playful side. His athleticism allowed for friendly family competition, as well as beach vacations playing in the surf and sand. He had an adventurous courageous spirit allowing not only for travel but for taking on projects requiring problem solving and ingenuity, finding his own pathway of accomplishment.
Johnny was predeceased by his parents Waylan and Frances Washburn. He leaves behind his daughter Pam Washburn, son and daughter in law Kevin & Missy Washburn, grandsons Cooper and Ethan Washburn and his older Troy Washburn of North Carolina.
A joint service for Johnny and Brenda Washburn will be held at Christ The King Lutheran Church, 5296 Park Avenue, Memphis, TN 38119 on October 8th at 11:00am (CST). It will also be streamed live at https://ctkmemphis.com/worship/live-streaming. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
Our father was a true role model who we will always look up to. Dad, you are now finally at peace and reunited with the love of your life, yet you will live on forever in our hearts.
We love you so much!
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