Mr. Johnny Choate

Johnny McCllan Choate, 77, of Ashdown died Tuesday, June 24, 2014 at his home. He peacefully entered the arms of his Savior Jesus Christ as his loved ones surrounded him. Johnny was born in Joaquin, Texas on August 15, 1936. He was an Air Force veteran who served his country with pride. Serving in Wyoming, Japan and Hawaii, he completed his service at Biggs Air Force Base in El Paso, Texas in 1959. On November 24, 1960 he married the love of his life, Wynell Walraven and they celebrated 53-1/2 years together. Johnny and Wynell raised their daughters while living in Mauriceville, TX as active members of the First Baptist Church there. He retired in December 1999 from the U.S. Postal Service with 38 years of service. He held various positions in the Postal Service in Orange, Mauriceville, Beaumont, Humble and Houston, TX. Johnny lived his entire life in Texas until June 2004 when he and Wynell moved to Ashdown Arkansas. He loved serving his Lord and was a member of the Pairs and Spares Sunday School class at First Baptist Church of Ashdown. An active member of NARFE (National Association of Retired Federal Employees), LRCHS (Little River County Historical Society) and LRCGS (Little River County Genealogy Society), he also found time to travel which he loved. At the adventuresome age of 53 he strapped on a pair of snow skis for the first time. This love of skiing lasted for over 13 years. He was preceded in death by his parents Marlon & Lera Choate as well as numerous aunts and uncles. Survivors include his wife Wynell and their three daughters Cheryl Ann (Steve) Moseley of Midlothian, TX; Pamela Kay (Joseph) Allen of Duncanville, TX; Sandra Lea (John) Curtis of Weir, TX; one brother Marlon 'Kelly' Choate and his wife Sue of Mocksville, NC; two sisters, Nita Mae (Bill) Burch of Orange, TX and Iona "Kitten" (David) Fuller of Orange, TX; five grandchildren Meghan (Jeromy) Rigdon of Midlothian, TX, Benjamin Curtis, Matthew Curtis and Emma Curtis of Weir, TX and Joseph 'Joe Joe' Allen of Duncanville, TX, one great-grandchild, Caden Rigdon of Midlothian, TX. Visitation will be 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Friday, June 27, at Madden Funeral Home in Ashdown. Services will be at 4 p.m. Saturday, June 28 at Madden Funeral Home. Interment will be in Ashdown Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to a charity of your choice, the Little River Memorial Hospice or the Ashdown Cemetery Association. Online registration is at maddenfuneralservice.com.

Mr. Johnny Choate

August 15, 1936 - June 24, 2014