Johnny Ray Harville

Johnny Ray Harville went Home on Monday afternoon, January 4, after a lengthy hospital stay at William Clements University Hospital in Dallas. His entire family was at his side, just as they had been during his nearly 15 week hospitalization, speaking words of love and encouragement, when he left this earth, A Celebration of Johnny's life will be held at Christian Fellowship Church, 3130 North Main Street, Paris, on Friday, January 8, at 3:00 pm. Pastor Cory Jones, Pastor Mike Fortenberry, and his cousin Rickey Hayes will officiate. Cremation was under the care & direction of Bright-Holland Funeral Home. Johnny was born to Lucille Keller and Connie Harville on April 8, 1950. He was brought up in a loving and hospitable family, the only brother of three sisters who adored him. At the ripe old age of 14, he began working at Fangio's Body Shop where his natural talent for body work was developed. Johnny bought the business from Mr. Fangio when he retired and operated it for many years. Johnny graduated from Paris High School in 1968. Johnny's beloved daughter Tracy was born during his first marriage to Linda Crist. Johnny married Katherine Ann Payne on October 1, 1977, at her parents' home in Longview. They also, created a loving and hospitable family. During their 38 years of marriage they had 4 children and 11 grandchildren, all while providing a temporary home for various other friends and family members during transitional times. Their house has always been full of people because Johnny loved and welcomed everyone into their home. A dramatic change happened in Kathy's and Johnny's lives during the summer of 1980 when they entered into a relationship with the Lord while attending a revival at North Paris Baptist Church. From that point forward, they worked together in service of others. They went on many mission trips with Grace Fellowship Church to Mexico and for years they taught and loved the adorable kids at George Wright Homes and Booker T. Washington through the Sidewalk Sunday School ministry at East Paris Baptist Church. They are faithful members of Christian Fellowship Church and they have never "retired" from helping others at every opportunity. Johnny was a Giver, he gave his time, his talent and his treasure to people. Everyone who had Johnny's phone number called him if their car broke down. He never hesitated to come running. Johnny could literally repair or restore anything and could paint the straightest line known to man. Johnny was a Fighter with a strong spirit who loved his family passionately. Like his father, Johnny would give you a nick name faster than you could say HowdyDoody. Johnny and Kathy enjoyed traveling as a couple and they also enjoyed spending time with their family on annual vacations either to the beach or skiing. Johnny exemplified verse 17 in Proverbs 17 . . . Friends love through all kinds of weather, and families stick together in all kinds of trouble. Johnny is in Heaven now with his parents and his grandson Hayden Brown. Johnny is survived by his wife Kathy; his children Tracy Harville of Moore, Oklahoma, Emily and Gabe Montoya, Keller Harville, Molly and Will Walker, all of Paris, and Ellen and Jesse Llamas of Little Elm; his grandchildren Brittany Brown, Allie Reynolds, Riley and Katie Spencer, Buddy and Brant Harville, Evie and Jack Walker, Christian and Isaac Llamas; his sisters Janice Kay Maye and husband Roy of Clarksville, Carol Staples and husband Ed of McAlister, Oklahoma and Nancy Arguello of McKinney. Kathy's parents, Mr. and Mrs. William B. Payne of Longview, her siblings and their spouses, as well as many, many beloved aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins who will miss him terribly, along with his best buddies Danny Webster and his beloved dog Curly Sue. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to either the Downtown Food Pantry, Christian Fellowship Church or any charity of choice.