Robert Johns, 69, passed away Monday, September 28, 2020 at his rural Alliance home with his family by his side.
Robert Dean Johns was born on July 27, 1951 in Scottsbluff, NE to Walter Howard and Sue Grace (Horner) Johns. He graduated from Melbeta High School, where he found his love of football and basketball. He married June Ellen Lewis in Keenesburg, Colorado July 27, 1969. They were married for 21 years. Later in life, he married Lisa Ann Fisher in Alliance Nebraska on February 14, 1993.
Robert was a carpenter, carpet layer, and builder. Always using his hands, he worked for Magnolia Homes Mobile Home Company in the finishing department in Scottsbluff Nebraska and Fort Morgan Colorado. He eventually hired on the railroad and retired as a carman.
He was known by many as having the biggest heart a person can have. If he believed in something, he was committed and invested. He enjoyed a good game of pool, ping pong, chess, cribbage, and the long form table top game of Axis and Allies. He was an avid basketball player, fan, and teacher of the sport. He was a lover of nature and enjoyed hunting, planting trees, and bird watching. Robert also liked to express his love of music by singing and playing guitar. Everything he did, he did at 110%. He even accomplished building his own house by hand, and hand digging a basement to pour the concrete for his indoor basketball court. He was very kind and utilized his favorite catch phrases, such as; “You blow me away,” “ Yo cocoa Mo,” “ Am I right or am I right?” and, “Hello, is this the rich and famous.” His personality always shined and showed charisma, and he would ask everywhere he went, “Can I get a bag of Ben Franklins with that?” He will be well missed by all who loved and cared for him.
Robert was preceded in death by his parents, Walter Howard and Sue Grace (Horner) Johns.
He is also survived by his brothers, Leroy (Karen) Johns of Keenesburg, CO and Rodney Johns of Alliance.
He is survived by his children, Tracy Lynn (Johns) Pate of Moyock, NC, Sandi Renay (Johns) Blankenship of Alliance and Tanner Johns of Rapid City, SD, his grandchildren, Kindra Moore, Saige Benton, Tasia Sanderson, Hunter Sanderson, Brigitte Blankenship, Wyatt Blankenship, Kobee Blankenship, Taven Pate, Adrian Pate and Amanda Anderson and his great-granddaughter, Willow Bowman. .
Graveside services will be Thursday, October 1 at 2:00 p.m. at Creighton Valley Cemetery near Melbeta, NE. The Reverend Walter Cline will officiate. Following, there will be a luncheon at Melbeta City Park. All are welcome to come.
Memorials may be sent in care of the family for a later designation. They may be sent to Sandi Blankenship, 1203 Arthur Lane, Alliance, NE 69301.
Online condolences may be left at www.batesgould.com with Bates-Gould Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.