He was preceded in death by his parents and five siblings, H.D., James, Dallas, Alfred and Flora Jean. He is survived by three siblings, Myrtice, Leon and Earl; and the love of his life for 73 years, Cora Lee Veenstra Nipper. Johnnie is also survived by his daughter, Portia Grizzaffe and her husband Charlie; three grandchildren, Greg, Glen and Charlie III; eight great-grandchildren, Anthony, Alyssa, Savannah, Cole, Cameron, Portia, Alicio and Caleb; and two great-great-grandchildren, Isabella Monet and Shane Ezra.
At the age of 5, Johnnie moved with his family from Cordele, GA to Thonotosassa, FL. They soon settled in Tampa where he lived the next 88 years until his death at 93.
As a young man he entered the Merchant Marines and after the end of the war, he hitchhiked home from San Diego, CA. Three years later, he would elope with his love to Vienna, GA to be married.
His passions were fishing, hunting and baseball, but his foremost love was family. There was no greater pleasure for him than to see a smile on a child's face or to feel a loving embrace.
Johnnie worked as a switchman with the railroad for 35 years before retiring. In his earlier years, Johnnie enjoyed playing baseball. He and his six brothers and a few nephews comprised their own Nipper Team for the Tampa City baseball league. He and his wife enjoyed hunting of all varieties and passed this love on to his daughter. He loved the simple pleasures like fishing with a cane pole. Being born in the time of depression, he never wasted anything, especially a fish; as he believed any fish was a meal regardless how small and no one was allowed to throw one back. He was kind, loving and compassionate, but above all, he loved his family and his precious "Cora Lee."
The family will receive friends from 12-1pm followed by a funeral service at 1pm on Saturday, January 29, 2022 at Blount & Curry, Terrace Oaks Chapel, 12690 N 56th Street, Temple Terrace. Interment at Ehren Cemetery, 7135 Ehren Cemetery Road, Land O' Lakes.
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