On Thanksgiving Day around 10:00 p.m. Johnnie Buren Compton, “with his final heartbeat, kissed the world goodbye, and went in peace to laugh on Glory’s side.” Our dad, our husband, our “Poppy,” was surrounded by his family as we watched him part from us temporarily, to join his mom, Goldie Edith Compton, his dad Ivris Martin Compton, sister Jane and brother Danny, to await our arrival. Johnnie was a man of many trades, a carpenter, a contractor, a painter, a visionary, consummate storyteller, a son of God. The stories of his youth include, intoxicating a rooster with the help of his brother Danny, jumping horses into White River, hitchhiking to California in his teens and living life fully; robustly and without fear. With this vivid past behind him, the hands of time and heart of Jesus having softened him in his older years. He loved his family more tenderly, embraced the outdoors with a passion, and bowed before God in the humility of knowing he was a beloved son. We watched our hero part from us this Thanksgiving Day, giving thanks in knowing he is riding horses and scaling mountains, until we see him shortly to hear him tell his new tales. We love and miss you Johnnie, Dad, Poppy…see you soon.
Johnnie is survived by his wife of 25 years, Susan of Nixa, MO, five children and their spouses all in Missouri; Andy of Republic, Cindy of Nixa, Marty of Lamar, Shannon of St Joseph and Joe of Branson.
He is also survived by 15 treasured grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren, as well as 2 sisters, Janice and Kay of Branson and his many nieces and nephews.
A gathering to celebrate Johnnie’s life will be held at Tri-Lakes Christian Church, 116 Pathway Rd, Branson, MO from 5:00 pm – 8:00 pm Sunday evening, December 1, 2013. All friends and family are welcome.
In lieu of flowers, a Memorial Gift can be made to New Life Missions, PO Box 593, Hollister, MO 65672 (Memo – Philippine’s Outreach)