Howard Wayne Johnson, Jr.

Obituary For Howard Wayne Johnson, Jr.

Howard Wayne Johnson, Jr., passed away on his 75th birthday in Truth or Consequences, NM. Wayne was born October 6, 1948 to Wayne and Hazel (née Potter) Johnson in Hot Springs, NM. He had the distinction of being the first baby christened at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Hot Springs, NM on February 4, 1949, after his father Wayne and grandfather, Gus Johnson helped establish and construct the church.

Wayne grew up in T. or C., and on the family’s ranch in the San Andres Mountains. He was an avid hunter and especially enjoyed his hunting trips with his grandson, Isaac Muncy. He attended Hot Springs High School, where he played football and was in the marching band. Following his graduation in 1966, he attended one year at New Mexico State University, then went into the workforce. Wayne enlisted in the Army National Guard in January 1967 and was honorably discharged in 1987, after 20 years of service.

Wayne met the love of his life, Thelma Vienna Muncy, and married her and her five children on June 22, 1971. He worked several years for Donner Plumbing, as a journeyman plumber until he retired. In their retirement, he and Thelma enjoyed going to church, spending time with their grandchildren and traveling to see her sisters. Wayne and Thelma were married 48 years when she passed away in 2019.

Wayne is survived by his mother, Hazel Johnson; sisters- Helen Cobos of Odessa, TX and Cynthia Shetter of Los Lunas, NM; and his brother, Gust Johnson (Kathy) of Williamsburg, NM. He is also survived by his stepsons, David (Elaine) Muncy of Las Cruces, NM, and Danny (Becky) Muncy of T. or C., NM; and his stepdaughter, Mary (Darren) Land of Lubbock, TX; along with several grandchildren, great-grandchildren, cousins, nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Thelma; father, Wayne Johnson; grandparents: Gus and Thelma (née Getty) Johnson and Ernest and Bessie (née Henderson) Potter; brothers- Henry and Mick Johnson; and his step-sons: Kenneth and Duane Muncy.

A Memorial Service will be held in Wayne’s honor on Sunday, October 22, 2023 at 4:00 PM at the Fellowship Alliance Church (1601 E. 6th Ave. T. or C., NM 87901), with Pastor Winkler officiating.