Johnnie Eugene Love

Graveside services for Retired Command Sergeant Major Johnnie Eugene Love, 85, of Killeen will be at 10 a.m. Saturday, June 24, 2017 at Killeen City Cemetery with full military honors.

Mr. Love died peacefully June 20, 2017 at Scott and White Hospital surrounded by his loving family. He was born July 14, 1931 in Duck Hill, Mississippi to the late Dewitt Talmadge Love and Bertha Mitchel Love.

A proud Army veteran, John began his distinguished career in 1949 and served almost twenty-five years before retiring in 1974 as the Command Sergeant Major of the 1st/9th Cav at Fort Hood, Texas. He served in Alaska, Washington, Germany, Vietnam and was stationed at Fort Hood several times. He received numerous medals and commendations including the National Defense Service Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, Expert (Pistol), Expert (Rifle) Vietnam Service Medal with 4 Bronze Service Stars, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal Infantryman Badge, Bronze Star Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, Air Medal, Good Conduct Medal, Clasp, Bronze, 4 Loops, Army Commendation Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster. John was also named an Honorary Command Sergeant Major of the 1st/9th Cav.

After military retirement, John worked at Jack Duncan Volkswagen in Killeen where he met the love of his life, Penny Duncan. They were married October 15, 1977 in Austin, Texas. John was also employed at Bob Miller Volkswagen in Austin, Maplehurst Car Wash and Chafin-Purser Construction. John enjoyed travelling, boating, fishing, golfing and visiting with family and friends. John was member of the Masonic Lodge 1125 and the Scottish Rite Waco Bodies for over fifty years. John was a member of the First United Methodist Church of Killeen.

Mr. Love was preceded in death by his parents, and his sisters, Thelma Love Boutwell and Virginia Love. Survivors include his beloved family members, wife, Penny Duncan Love; daughters, Jeannie Love Bean (Mike), Jonna Love Downey, Sandra Love O’ Rear (Ruben); brother in laws, York Duncan(Joanie), Jack Barton Duncan(Posey). He is survived by numerous grandchildren who called him Papa including Danny John Herron, Marty Herron(Christie), Angela Young(Jeff), Chasity Gonzales(Albert), Melanie Spence, Anthony Spence, Jared Love, Jessica Huffines Phillips(Cody), Ryan O’ Rear(Emily) and many great grandchildren. John is survived by a host of very special nieces and nephews including Edna Ruth Settles(Don), William Boutwell, Flora Ann Hutcherson(Gerald), Brenda Loper(Gilbert), Yvonne Dana(Richard), Vicki Benson(Zach, Sr), Garner Duncan(Amanda), Garrett Duncan(Sarah) and Grant Duncan(Geoffrey Aldridge-Duncan), McCaye Ducan and many great nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The First United Methodist Church of Killeen or the Baylor Scott and White Hospital Foundation.

Visitation is from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, June 23 at Crawford Bowers Funeral Home in Killeen which is in charge of services. Condolences may be offered at www.crawfordbowers.org.

John felt “Life is Better on the Patio”.