Isaac Joseph “I.J.” Johns, 86, Sparta, passed away Thursday, January 9, 2014. I.J. was born June 15, 1927, in Sparta, Missouri, to Ralph Linley Johns and Agnes Vera Monger. I.J. attended Russell School, near Sparta, through the 6th grade and graduated from Sparta High School in 1945. I.J. married Suzanne “Susie” Mae Rogers on November 24, 1946, in Sparta, and spent 65 years in this union before her death in 2011. Together he and Susie filled their lives with the love of five children, 17 grandchildren, 23 great-grandchildren, and one great, great grandson. His children include son-in-law Lionel Daugherty, Ava; Danny Johns and Jenny, Seymour; Cathy Bumgarner and Terry; Sparta; Cindy Adamson and Faron, Hartville; Rick Johns and Julie, Sparta; grandchildren Caron Daugherty Mitchell, Jeff Johns, Tyler Johns, Casey Daugherty, Tonya Adamson Wilson, Sean Bumgarner, Jennifer Adamson O’Quinn, Nathan Bumgarner, Whitney Adamson Ferguson, Erin Bumgarner Makhdoom, Ricky Johns, Elizabeth Johns, Allison Johns, Anna Bumgarner Call, Andrew Bumgarner, and Emily Johns. His extended surviving family include brother Harry Hershel Johns and Colleen, Ozark; uncle Jack Monger, Nixa; two nieces, Wanda Johns Foster and Tom, Ozark, and Brenda Lande and Greg, Silver Spring, Maryland; in-laws Vivian Johns, Springfield; Pauline Ryals, Morton, Ill; Pletcher Rogers and Bonnie, Sparta; and Charles Rogers and Wilma, Sparta; many loved nieces and nephews, and a special friend, Clara Lee, Ozark. I.J.’s life was spent working for his family as a farmer, husband, dad, and grandpa. Before starting a 33-year career as a mixed chemist, I.J. worked the summer fruit harvests on the west coast, at the Cessna Plant in Wichita, Kansas, for Caterpillar in Peoria, Illinois, and as a milk hauler for Douglas and Christian Counties. In 1956, he started his career with Ash Grove Lime and Portland Cement Company in Springfield. After his retirement in 1990, I.J. became the number one delivery man for Susie’s Flowers, Gifts and Collectibles in Sparta, delivering smiles and Susie’s flowers to thousands of customers for the next 20 years. He loved delivering flowers. I.J. held a generous and patient love for family. He farmed, worked, and played with all his children and grandchildren, from cross-country road trips to water skiing on Tablerock. Simplicity brought him joy, and he could be found tinkering on tractors, riding through the hayfields, and tending to the gardens. On Saturday mornings his grandchildren remember breakfast in bed, and summer afternoons brought lessons in farming. July brought sweet corn to the table, and in the spring, morel mushrooms magically appeared for afternoon snacks. His yearly harvests fed all generations of our family. He was a member of the Sparta Church of Christ. He served the community as a school board member for Sparta schools for several years. He was a patient teacher, an honorable man who lived the way we all want to live. One could not learn a bad habit from I.J., and his quiet nature and abundant patience has taught us many life lessons. I.J. was preceded in death by his wife, Susie Johns, daughter Carolyn Johns Daugherty, grandson Matthew Jon Bumgarner, brother Charlie Manford Johns, and parents Ralph and Agnes Johns. He passed away surrounded by his children and grandchildren. I.J. will be greatly missed by his family and friends. Funeral services for I J will be 2:00 p.m., Sunday, January 12, 2014 in Barnes Family Funeral Home, Ozark. Burial will follow in Sparta Cemetery. Visitation will be 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Saturday, January 11 in Barnes Family Funeral Home. Online condolences may be shared at www.barnesfamilyfunerals.com .
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Roy and Connie Goins says
January 10, 2014 at 1:55 pmSorry we are not there to go to the services.
George and Janet Goins says
January 10, 2014 at 1:57 pmWe are so sorry for the loss of Uncle I J, he will be missed. Love and prayers to you all.
Cindy Mcilroy says
January 10, 2014 at 3:53 pmCindy and Cathy,
I am so sorry for your loss, I only pray the God will give you the strength you need at this time.
Sincerely,
Cindy Mcilroy
John Price says
January 11, 2014 at 7:30 amDanny, Jenny, and Family; Sorry to hear about your Dad.
Kathy Scales says
January 11, 2014 at 1:23 pmCasey and Caron, May the love of those around you strengthen you as you mourn the loss of your grandpa, and may peace comfort you. Both of you are sweet souls who honor your grandpa with your love and light.
Lou Ann Stark says
January 12, 2014 at 5:12 amDear Family,
I am so sorry about I.J., and I know how much you will miss him.
In sympathy,
Lou Ann
bill shireman says
January 12, 2014 at 7:34 pmDanny and family, will be thinking in the coming days. May God’s love and many happy memories help to see you through this time of loss.
Linda Totten says
January 13, 2014 at 11:11 amDanny,
So sorry to hear about your Dad, my sincere sympathy goes to you and your family at this difficult time!
My prayers are with you,
Linda Totten
MSU Custodial Dept.
Payree Short says
January 13, 2014 at 8:13 pmMy family was sorry to hear of the loss of I.J. Where has the time gone? We should all be small kids playing at a family reunion. Prayers to everyone from the rest of the Johns’ clan.
Payree Johns Short
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