Bright-Holland Funeral Home has scheduled services for 2:00 p.m. Wednesday, June 18th at Mt. Olive Baptist Church with Dr. Tim Reger officiating. Burial will follow in Mt. Olive Cemetery. The family will receive friends at the funeral home Tuesday from 5 – 7 p.m. Casket bearers will be: Jerry Springer, Louis Prihoda, Chevis Springer, Paul Stephens, Todd Stephens, Lance Exum, Brad McKnight, and Jake Irwin. Honorary bearers will be: Bubba Ray, Ricky Hutchings, Marty Grayson, Jimmy Fendley, and Bo Exum.
Johnny, the son of Lois Woodrow Exum & Helen Geneva Douglas Exum, was born March 12, 1942, in Paris, TX. He graduated from Powderly High School. He then began working for Mrs. Biard’s Bread in Dallas. Upon his return to Paris, he began working for Bill Green Plumbing & Electric. In 1966, he and his father established Exum Plumbing which he operated until he sold the business in 2004. Johnny then established and operated J & E Septic Service. He had owned numerous race tracks, helped start Paris Motor Speed Way, and along with the Jerry Bob Stephens family, he built Thunder Valley Race Way Park in Noble, OK. Johnny owned and drove race cars his entire life, from street racing, dirt track and drag racing. He passed down the love of racing to his children and grandchildren.
In 1983, Johnny was awarded the outstanding builders award by the Lamar County Home Builders Association. He was a faithful member of Mt. Olive Baptist Church. He proudly served his country in the United States National Guard for 7 years.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, Sharon Ann Exum, on Jan. 18, 2024, following 58 years and 11 months of marriage, a granddaughter, Kimberly Exum, and a sister, Sonja McKnight & husband Butch.
Survivors include two children, Johnny Lee Exum and Deidra House & husband Mark, grandchildren, Justin Exum, Dax Jallo & wife Katee, and Jessi Exum, great grandchildren, Dilin Exum, Lynnlee Exum, Hollan Exum, Easton Hancock, Kaseton Hancock, and Blakely Roach, and siblings, Jimmy Exum & wife Joyce, Tommy Exum & wife Jo, and Judy Brannon & husband Ron along with numerous nieces & nephews and a host of friends.
The family would like to extend appreciation to Platinum Home Health for the care and attention given their loved one.
In lieu of flowers & gifts, the family requests that memorials be made to Mt. Olive Baptist Church.
