Obituary for John H. Zinn
John Howard Zinn, 81, Blair, passed away on Tuesday, February 20th, at his home. Johnny was born June 16th, 1942, in Altus, Oklahoma to Jake Flynn and Aline (Ward) Zinn.
Johnny grew up in Blair, graduating from Blair High School in 1960. Johnny enrolled at Altus Junior College, but within weeks, he and a buddy left for California. Johnny's adventurous spirit took him on a trip to Alaska, where he said he nearly starved to death before heading back to sunny California. He worked at a full-service gas station and on a turkey ranch, before taking a job at Kaiser Steel Mill in Fontana, California, where he was working when he received his draft notice, in 1964. Johnny entered the Army in June 7 that year, and served for two years in Augsburg, Germany as a military policeman. Completing his Army service, Johnny returned to Oklahoma, married the girl who was waiting for him, Sue Northington, on August 19, 1966, and returned with his bride to California, back to work at Kaiser Steel Mill for a year. Applying to Kell Gregg's Weed Spraying Company. Johnny was able to get out of the furnace-like environment of Kaiser Steel to the fresh air and sunshine- applying herbicides such as parathion, roundup, and paraquat , to housing tracts all along the California coast for contractors. After two years with Kell Gregg's Company, Johnny applied to the Los Angeles Times, Orange County Division, and was employed there 7 years.
Johnny and Sue moved back to Blair in 1977, where Johnny worked alongside his dad at Jake's company, Blair Lumber Company; the yard closed in 2002, and they were able to enjoy their time with their sons and their families. Johnny loved football, baseball, board games, old movies, and the simple life.
He was a member of the Blair Methodist Church.
Proceeding Johnny in death: his parents, Jake and Aline Zinn; his parents-in-law, Raymond and Vannie Northington; a sister-in-law, Dolly Northington; and two nieces, Sarah Wolford and Cynthia Alaine Gray.
Survivors include his wife, Sue, of the home; three sons: Jason Ray Zinn and wife Danielle, of Rockwall, Texas; John Dalton Zinn, of the home; and Christopher Zinn and wife Xochilt, of Terrell, Texas; a brother-in-law, Dalton Northington and wife Maria, of Blair, and sister-in-law Gwyn Pierce and husband Paul (who passed a week later, February 27) of Taloya, Oklahoma; six grandchildren: Jake Zinn; Jesse Zinn and wife Nicole; Kiefer Zinn; and Jordan Harman and husband Ty; Hailey Grace Zinn and significant other Tyler Fridinger; and Christian Zinn; three great-grandchildren: Wyatt Zinn, and Messa and Wiley Harman. Also, three sisters, Jan Darvis and husband Rick; Nan Reynolds; and Margaret Faye Wolford and husband Tom, as well as many loved nieces and nephews.
A memorial service will be held at a later date.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Michael J. Fox Foundation, or to the Lewy Body Dementia Association.
Services have been entrusted to Lowell - Tims Funeral Home and Crematory, Altus, Oklahoma.
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Johnny grew up in Blair, graduating from Blair High School in 1960. Johnny enrolled at Altus Junior College, but within weeks, he and a buddy left for California. Johnny's adventurous spirit took him on a trip to Alaska, where he said he nearly starved to death before heading back to sunny California. He worked at a full-service gas station and on a turkey ranch, before taking a job at Kaiser Steel Mill in Fontana, California, where he was working when he received his draft notice, in 1964. Johnny entered the Army in June 7 that year, and served for two years in Augsburg, Germany as a military policeman. Completing his Army service, Johnny returned to Oklahoma, married the girl who was waiting for him, Sue Northington, on August 19, 1966, and returned with his bride to California, back to work at Kaiser Steel Mill for a year. Applying to Kell Gregg's Weed Spraying Company. Johnny was able to get out of the furnace-like environment of Kaiser Steel to the fresh air and sunshine- applying herbicides such as parathion, roundup, and paraquat , to housing tracts all along the California coast for contractors. After two years with Kell Gregg's Company, Johnny applied to the Los Angeles Times, Orange County Division, and was employed there 7 years.
Johnny and Sue moved back to Blair in 1977, where Johnny worked alongside his dad at Jake's company, Blair Lumber Company; the yard closed in 2002, and they were able to enjoy their time with their sons and their families. Johnny loved football, baseball, board games, old movies, and the simple life.
He was a member of the Blair Methodist Church.
Proceeding Johnny in death: his parents, Jake and Aline Zinn; his parents-in-law, Raymond and Vannie Northington; a sister-in-law, Dolly Northington; and two nieces, Sarah Wolford and Cynthia Alaine Gray.
Survivors include his wife, Sue, of the home; three sons: Jason Ray Zinn and wife Danielle, of Rockwall, Texas; John Dalton Zinn, of the home; and Christopher Zinn and wife Xochilt, of Terrell, Texas; a brother-in-law, Dalton Northington and wife Maria, of Blair, and sister-in-law Gwyn Pierce and husband Paul (who passed a week later, February 27) of Taloya, Oklahoma; six grandchildren: Jake Zinn; Jesse Zinn and wife Nicole; Kiefer Zinn; and Jordan Harman and husband Ty; Hailey Grace Zinn and significant other Tyler Fridinger; and Christian Zinn; three great-grandchildren: Wyatt Zinn, and Messa and Wiley Harman. Also, three sisters, Jan Darvis and husband Rick; Nan Reynolds; and Margaret Faye Wolford and husband Tom, as well as many loved nieces and nephews.
A memorial service will be held at a later date.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Michael J. Fox Foundation, or to the Lewy Body Dementia Association.
Services have been entrusted to Lowell - Tims Funeral Home and Crematory, Altus, Oklahoma.
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