Johnny Leroy Portwood

1SG (Ret) Johnny Leroy Portwood January 31, 1936- November 11, 2015 Midland, Georgia- 1SG (Ret) Johnny Leroy Portwood, 79, of Midland, GA passed away Wednesday, November 11, 2015 at his home surrounded by his loving family. A Graveside Service with full Military Honors is scheduled for Monday, November 16, 2015 at 3:00 PM at Parkhill Cemetery with Reverend John Burnett officiating. The family will receive friends Sunday from 3:00-5:00 PM in the St. Elmo Room of Striffler-Hamby. Mr. Portwood, son of the late Hattie O. Farris and George Washington Portwood, was born January 31, 1936 in Decatur, AL. Mr. Portwood joined the U.S. Army at the age of seventeen and retired after twenty-three years; he served our country honorably with two tours in Vietnam and was stationed at various times in Germany, California, and Georgia. After retiring, he changed careers and returned to school to become an educator of students with special needs. He taught at Shaw High School for 16 years, retiring once more in 1996. Described as jokester and story teller, Mr. Portwood enjoyed entertaining friends and perfect strangers alike. He also enjoyed gardening, taking special pride in his azaleas and flowers, often including his grandchildren in his projects, calling them his junior gardeners. But more than anything, Mr. Portwood loved his family. Getting together for family dinners and holidays brought him much pleasure, especially because it gave him opportunities to teach "life lessons" to his grandchildren (whether they liked them or not), whom he loved dearly. He will be sorely missed by his family, his friends, and his neighbors. Other than his parents, Mr. Portwood is preceded in death by his son, Mark Portwood; and siblings Frances Brown, Mary Cartee, Lena deGraffenried, Joe Portwood and Franklin D. Portwood. Survivors include beloved wife of 59 years, Sue Portwood of Midland, GA; daughter Vickie P. Kruger of Columbus, GA; grandchildren Ashley (Mark) Clayton, Tyler Gilbert and Abigail Kruger; sister Peggy Kizziah; other relatives and friends. The family would like to thank his many doctors at Emory Hospital in Atlanta as well as those in Columbus, Georgia as he battled Pancreatic Cancer as well as the residual problems from this disease. Additionally, they would like to thank the Columbus Hospice team for the kind, thoughtful, and compassionate care they provided to him during the last weeks of his life. In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions be made to St. Luke Respite Care Ministries, PO Box 867 Columbus, GA 31902. Online condolences may be offered at www.shcolumbus.com.