Johnny and my husband were great friends back in the day. Johnny was always happy go lucky. Things change in life due to jobs etc . They still talked here and there. I think even a lunch once in a while. They just lived different lives due to jobs. Johnny was always a dependable friend you just knew was there. It’s so sad that he took a different turn and didn’t let people know. In the last year  my husband knew something not right reached out and after several attempts was able to get a hold of him. We thought he was doing good talking daily until he stopped saying he was busy. We assumed a good thing and busy because of working or whatever. He will be missed.

In closing-
Johnny, although we lost touch and followed our own journeys, you touched my heart a long time ago and taught me so much. Your family and the many traditions that I was welcomed to share created heartfelt memories. I still have the artwork you procured from Bob Hanbury, your boss at the Ski Shop. These beach prints are hanging in our living room and have traveled the world with us. 
To your family and friends, Johnny, I wish to express that you and I shared a block of our lives that no one else could have meant more during those years. YOU, Johnny taught me that cars should be FAST, tires should be SHINY and the memory of that first kiss- WILL LAST A LIFETIME. 
Peace and comfort always-
Stephanie (Jackson) Nault

Part II: Johnny and I shared many milestones. We attended each other’s Senior proms together. I spent my spring break opening his video business, Videorama in Churchland. Back in the day, Netflix and Chill was a VHS or Beta tape and a waterbed. I became immersed with his family, which valued monthly birthday celebrations and each holiday was a challenge of Boggle, Yahtzee, or cards. Many holiday we dined and laughed and shared dishes such as pineapple stuffing, broccoli casserole, and green bean casserole. For all intents and purpose, I became family. Up until ten years ago, I still clung to a lamp Johnny’s dad had gifted me as he and I shared the love of thrifting and antique shopping. 
Johnny became part of my family as well. My dad loved Johnny and most importantly was impressed that Johnny could be instructed once how to build something and in a matter of time the item or structure would be just as my dad wanted it. They were always on the same level when it came to carpentry and creative building. Johnny built my grandfather’s last crabbing boat. Truth be told, that was my grandfather’s favorite boat. Johnny was quite the sexy fella sporting his tool belt and working the table saw. 
Johnny was required to attend summer school his Senior year of school, which did not make me a favorite of his mom. He would cut class to drive across town to pick me up from high school and drive me home. I will say, for the rest of the guys I went to school with, Jonny was their nemesis. Johnny and I celebrated many events together as a couple. He attended both my high school graduation and my nursing school graduation. He was my first true love and for a teenager, six years may seem like a lifetime. He was bitten by my families love of the water and commercial crabbing and from what I knew the last time we crossed paths; he was happiest when crabbing. This too made my dad very proud. My family comes from a long tradition of waterman. 
continued...

Part I: Upon notification of Johnny’s passing, many memories came to surface. I was introduced to Johnny by a mutual friend and immediately was smitten, although, I had admired Johnny long before. He was the ‘knight in the green Birdwell trunks riding his bike and rolling his newspapers. When we met, he drove a ‘school bus yellow’ Mustang Fastback with a black strip down the center. I don’t recall the exact year, but eventually, I became schooled on a 351 Cleveland, posi-traction, and the nitrous switch. There was a sense of pride and ‘attitude’ to cruise the strip at the beach or hang out at Flipper McCoys with Johnny and his many friends with shiny cars. I learned FORD, depending on who you asked means FIRST OR RACE DAY or FOUND ON ROAD DEAD. Johnny and I spent six years together, the old-fashioned term of ‘going steady’. On our sixth month anniversary, we dined at the Jolly Ox and he presented me with my first and only ‘promise ring’. To ring true, the Mustang was ‘sick that night’ and he borrowed a friend’s car, a black Ford Torino to take me out to dinner.
Johnny left an impression that I have clung to me for many years. Your date always opens the door and safely returns you home. A gentleman picks up the tab and dates are special. We often dined as a group or just the two of us at the hot spots, Chi Chis or Daryl’s. He and his many friends were avid fans of Burger King in Norview, and one might find us after hours at Lum’s enjoying a Singapore Sling. Another one of the magical things Johnny introduced me to, was the galvanized trashcan of punch, with strict orders to AVOID THE FRUIT. I still remember his favorite drink, a Seagram’s and 7 or Canadian Mist. I fondly remember him sporting a yellow screen-printed t-shirt that he made blazing CHITTYFEST across the back.  
continued...

I'm so sorry to hear of his loss! I knew him many, many years ago and he was very fun. Happy likeable guy! My heart and prayers go out to the family and friends of Johnny at this time!

It’s been a lot of years. 
 Johnny was part of a group of us all hanging out during our adolescence years of life. 
Weather arguing over girls, car brands and all the other things that teenagers get into, Johnny always had a mischievous smile.  
To his family, I’m very sorry for your loss.

Johnny and I grew up together and he was a dear and cherished friend. I can remember like it was yesterday; me and Johnny riding bikes all over the neighborhood. We even started a little neighborhood business repairing and painting bicycles.

We played little league baseball together for many years...Go Wolverines!! The Best First Basemen Ever!!

Oh Johnny, I'm so sorry that time slipped away without us seeing each other again on this side of eternity, after so many great times together as kids.

May the Lord receive you in his loving arms and give your family peace and comfort.

Until I see you again in heaven, you will always be a joyful memory of the better and simpler times of my youth. 💔

OBITUARY

John Edward Stallings

February 8, 1962 – November 6, 2025

Rosewood-Kellum Funeral Home & Rosewood Memorial Park

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