John Lewis Browning was born July 21, 1921 at the home in rural Appleton City, Missouri, the first, and only son, of Burl Ewing and Eunice Laura (Pipes) Browning, and passed away on September 9, 2005 at Appleton City Manor at the age of 84 years. He attended grades one through eight at WeMott School in Bates County, two years at Passaic High School, and graduated from Butler High School in 1939. He was united in marriage to Lola Louise Holt April 26, 1946, at the bride's home in Round Prairie and resided at the family farm near Appleton City. Together they raised two sons, Leland and Randy.
Johnny loved his lifetime occupation of farming, primarily raising cattle, crops, and fescue seed, with his John Deere tractor. He was a member of FFA, Farm Bureau, and Missouri Cattleman's Association. He was an active member of Trinity United Methodist Church, serving on the Board and as Sunday School Superintendent for many years. He belonged to the Appleton City I.O.O.F. Odd Fellow Lodge. He followed the local Bulldog sports teams faithfully, and especially enjoyed watching his boys play football.
Johnny and Lola belonged to the Apple Dumplings Square Dance Club, enjoying the activity and fellowship of square dancing from local to state level from 1977 through two decades.
His wife, parents, and three brothers-in-law preceded him in death. He is survived by his sons, Leland and wife Becky, and Randy and wife Sharon; four grandchildren, Lorrie and husband Trent Stephens, Matthew, Carson, and Kayla; and two great-grandchildren, Travis and Rebecka Stephens, all of Appleton City, Missouri. Also surviving are three sisters, Mary Rush of Butler, Missouri, Elizabeth (Betty) Cooper of Springfield, Missouri and Louise and husband Arnold Hancock of Laurie, Missouri; two sisters-in-law, Aileen and husband John Mitchel of Montrose, Missouri and Mary Lue Holt of Appleton City; several nieces and nephews and a host of very special friends.