Funeral services for Johnnie Elmer Mahaney Jr. will be held on Friday, August 4th, 2017 at 2:00 PM at Reed-Culver Chapel with Pastor Sam Keener officiating. Visitation will be held on Thursday, August 3rd, 2017 from noon until 6:00 PM at Reed-Culver Chapel. Interment will be held at Park Hill Cemetery. Online condolences for his family may be left at www.reedculver.com.
Pallbearers for Johnnie include Ronald Marchant, Troy Matthews, Billy Akin, Chris Brinkman, David Lee Stanley and Bobby Allison. Honorary pallbearers include Andy Cobell, Jerry Wynos, Mark Bigby, and all his many friends from Magic Lube in Tahlequah, OK.
Johnnie Elmer Mahaney Jr., or Jay to his many friends, was born on February 5th, 1943 in Tahlequah, OK, the son of Johnnie Elmer and Carrie E. (Post) Mahaney Sr. He attended school in Oklahoma City. When he finished school, he began his career as a welder, working for Robinson Steel in Oklahoma City. In 1995, he met the love of his life, Lee Ann Cobell, and it was perfect for them in every way. He worked as the manager of Magic Lube in Tahlequah for over 12 years. You were always welcome to drop by and share a cup of coffee and a little gab! When he wasn’t working, he liked to go hunting, especially turkey shoots, a favorite pastime from his childhood. He was also happy to go do a little fishing and spend the day outdoors. When his mothers health became such she was no longer able to care for herself, Jay made sure Mom was at her home, with his constant love and care. He liked a quiet evening watching westerns, Gunsmoke was good as long as he could see Miss Kitty. Jay and Lee were always together at the Cherokee Heritage Center attending the different events and attending every Gospel Sing he could find, he loved the old hymns. If you wanted to see him smile, simply put a plate of Lee’s Indian fry bread in front of him and move out of the way. He was also quite good in the kitchen and even made homemade potato candy. Of all the things important to Jay, none were more important than his family, he adored them. He made the yearly trek to Montana, camera ready to capture the moments, hiking, camping, and visiting the grandbabies. He was spirited and the most caring of people, everyone was welcome to sit awhile and chat. He was a very special grandfather to all, his constant companions were Andy and Mia Cobell, who spent hours watching wrestling and just being around him. There was nothing he wouldn’t do for his grandchildren. A Christian by faith, Jay attended the Swimmer Baptist Church, professing his faith in the Lord to the end. The Lord called this good and faithful servant home from his labors on July 29th, 2017 at his home surrounded by those who knew and loved him. He was 74 years old. He will be greatly missed by all those lucky enough to call him friend.
He is preceded in death by his mother, father, one sister, Carrie Ann Mahaney-Marchant and his grandparents.
Those left to cherish his memory include his loving companion of 22 years, Lee Ann Cobell of the home, and his children, Johnnie Mahaney of Bossier City, LA, his daughter, Lisa Mahaney-Akins also of Bossier City, LA. He leaves his sister, Virginia “Sue” Nichols of Tahlequah, OK. There are three step daughters, Millie Cobell of Great Falls, MT, Charlene Cobell of Tahlequah, and Marsha Cobell-Moore of Bixby, OK. He lives on in his two grandchildren, Shannon and Michelle Mahaney-Karschner and his step grandchildren, Brittney Evans and husband of White Fish, MT, Mia Cobell of Tahlequah, Carissa Skinner and husband Thomas of Tahlequah, Zach Evans of Cut Back, MT, Andrew Cobell stationed in Kentucky, and Waylon Thompson Jr. and wife of Tahlequah, OK. He also loved two great grandchildren, Amelia Skinner and Jackson Thompson , his nephew and very special friend, Ronald Marchant of Muskogee, as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins and a host of friends and loved ones too numerous to mention.
A very special Thank You to Home Town Hospice for taking such wonderful care of Johnnie and his family.
SHARE OBITUARY
v.1.8.18