Johnnie Bollinger

Johnnie W. Bollinger beloved husband, father, and granddad passed away peacefully with his family by his side on August 20, 2010.

Johnnie was born on May 14, 1926 to Rube and Josie Bollinger in Portales, NM and lived most of his life in Clovis, NM. He married his best friend Velma Modrall on March 31, 1946.

He was preceded in death by his parents and four brothers, Jack Bollinger, Robert Bollinger, Joe Bollinger, and Bill Bollinger.

He is survived by his wife of 64 years Velma Bollinger two sons Harold Bollinger of the home and Darrel Brenda Bollinger of Clovis, NM one grandson Justin Kerri Bollinger of Tucumcari, NM one granddaughter Jalaina Brandon Foster of Farwell, TX three greatgrandsons Garrett and Greyson Bollinger and Braddock Foster. He had many more family members and friends that he cherished and adored.

Johnnie graduated from Portales High School in Portales, NM and attended one year of college at Eastern New Mexico University. He enlisted in the US Navy in May of 1944. He served in World War II on the USS Lycoming. He married Velma in March of 1946 before being honorably discharged from the Navy in June 1946. He farmed in Portales before starting his career at the Southern Union Gas Company in Tucumcari, NM as a welder. He later moved to Clovis, NM where he raised his family and continued to work with the gas company as an inspector where he retired 41 years later. He was also the owner of Pioneer Ditching and Boring where he loved working sidebyside with his son Darrel. Johnnie was a master at operating a backhoe and it was something he truly enjoyed even if it was just giving the grandkids rides. He was a man of many talents and he passed those talents on to his children and grandchildren. He loved to tell stories of his childhood and his Navy experiences. Johnnie was a wonderful role model for his entire family. Both Johnnie and Velma truly did an excellent job of caring for their handicapped son, Harold, where many memories were made at home and are not forgotten. He was a member of the VFW for 66 years where he served as State Commander of the VFW and State Grand Seam Squirrel of the Military Order of the Cooties. He earned the honor of being All Star State Seam Squirrel in 1981.

Visitation with the family will be Tuesday, August 24, 2010 at SteedTodd from 67 p.m. Services will be held Wednesday, August 25, 2010 at SteedTodd Chapel at 2:00 p.m. with Rev. Lewis Johnson officiating. Burial will follow at Lawn Haven Memorial Gardens.

Pallbearers will be Malcom Modrall, Bert Gayden, Jay Frank Bollinger, RL Bollinger, Richard Dindinger, Danny Deckard, and Ronnie Mackechnie. Honorary pallbearers are Richard Hadley, Bill Odegaard, Johnny Odegaard, Roger Odegaard, Sam Scott, Lewis Johnson, Bill Hollen, Severiano Armijo, Herman Rhodes and members of the VFW Post 3015.

Arrangements are by SteedTodd Funeral Home, 800 E. Manana, Clovis, New Mexico 88101, 5757635541.

Visitation

SteedTodd Funeral Home
800 E. Manana
Clovis, NM  88101
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
6:00 7:00 p.m.

Service

Funeral

Steed Todd Chapel
800 E. Manana Blvd
Clovis, NM  88101
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
2:00 p.m.

Cemetery

Lawn Haven Memorial Gardens
1601 E. Llano Estacado
Clovis, NM  88101