John Wayne Planer

John Wayne Planer aka “Johnny Chance” was born in Augusta, Georgia on June 7, 1947. An avid fisherman and first mate on the FITOA crew, Johnnie truly was “a pirate 200 years too late.” John was the second son of Charles Henry and Louise Bledsoe Planer. His older brother, Charles William “Billy” Planer, was his first best friend in Johnston, South Carolina. Johnnie met his lifelong friend, John Rawl, in the first grade. Many good times were had by the two Johns as they grew up in a small town, and they shared a love of the ocean and music.

John Wayne graduated from the University of South Carolina, and he would be a forever Gamecock fan. During college breaks it was great fun for John to dance the shag in Myrtle Beach. It was in college where he would meet Randy Dickens, captain of the FITOA fishing boat. Randy, John Wayne, John Rawl, and many others were great fishing buddies in Tampa, Florida. After college John began a career in lumber sales, and he met Vince Crow. Vince also joined the fishing crew, and there are several pictures of the group having the time of their lives.

In 1978 John was working in Virginia where he met Robin Huddle, and they married after a short courtship. Vince was in the wedding, and the friends all enjoyed spending time together for years to come. John and Robin moved to Columbia, South Carolina, and John quickly taught Robin about the importance of keeping sweet tea in the refrigerator and cooking rice multiple times a week! In 1981 they welcomed their first child, and Jennifer was affectionately called “Jenny Poopaloopadoopus” by her Daddy. The young family moved to Stockbridge, Georgia, and in 1982 a second daughter was born, Heather Jo “Kokimo.” By 1984 the family was complete with the arrival of John Henry Planer. John Wayne purchased a camera around the time of his son’s birth, and boy did he love taking pictures!

Johnnie loved a great sunrise, especially on the beach. There were many “South Carolina breakfasts” consisting of cold Budweiser and boiled peanuts enjoyed as the world came to life. John also loved to take his children on road trips, and eating cold boiled peanuts in his navy blue Lincoln Towncar was a treat. John and the kids enjoyed frequent visits to Johnston where Grandma Louise and Pawpaw Charlie still resided. Every time they departed John would play “On the Road Again” by Willie Nelson.

Trips to the ocean were made as often as possible. John introduced his children to Jimmy Buffet, Bob Marley, James Taylor, Waylon Jennings, Merle Haggard, Jackie Wilson, and many more great bands and musicians on the road trips. The Planer children loved their trips to see Randy and his daughter, and the second generation of the FITOA crew was born. Sunsets on the west coast of Florida brought John the same happiness as his east coast sunrises. The Godfather to the Planer children, John Rawl, later purchased a condominium at Tybee Island, Georgia, and even more great times were had by both Johns, family, and friends.

During their adolescence John taught his children the wisdom of Bob Marley, and he frequently reminded them that their troubles would be washed away by singing “Don’t worry about a thing, ‘cuz every little thing gonna be alright.” John also joked that he could get an idle jukebox going by singing, and he sure loved to sing. He loved to dress up in a suit for no reason at all, and John often said that it was better to be overdressed than underdressed. Cool Water and Old Spice were scents of choice, and many birthdays and Christmases were celebrated with new bottles of cologne from the children. John loved to eat good food, and his taste ranged from prime rib to his homemade “soup of despair” which contained varied ingredients each time it was made. Blizzards from Dairy Queen were always a favorite treat, and John also enjoyed the taste of wine. His favorite statement after tasting a new wine was, “It’s an ambitious little vintage, and I think you will be amused by it’s presumptuousness!”

John would marry Michele Erwin in 2002, the same year that Jennifer married Jason Addison. John and Michele lived in Suwanee, Georgia, and there were countless visits and meals hosted for the growing family. John’s first grandchild, Jason Addison, Jr., arrived in 2007, followed later that year by Heather’s first son John Ingram. Sebastian Ingram and Justin Addison were born in 2010, and another grandson, Julian Ingram, came along in 2011. John Henry married Holly in 2011, and the young Planer couple welcomed John’s first granddaughter in 2012. Reagan Planer stole her Pawpaw’s heart, and they truly were best friends.

In 2020 John proudly gained another son-in-law when Heather married Alex Boyd. July of 2021 brought a sixth grandson, River Planer. John spent his days beaming with pride in his children, their spouses, and his seven grandchildren. Billy's children were beloved by John, a nephew, Douglas, and niece, Susan. He loved to make them and everyone else laugh at his jokes. John eagerly welcomed his friend of over 40 years, Eddie Pate, for visits at his last residence in Jackson, Georgia. On September 6, 2021 John Wayne Planer joined his beloved mother, father, and sister-in-law, Sarah Planer, in Heaven. As John playfully said to end many of his calls, “Ciao Ciao, Bye Bye!” Bye for now, Daddy. Until we meet again.