George Wayne Johnson

George Wayne Johnson was born December 1, 1947, in Bridgeport, Nebraska. In 1964, Wayne joined the United States Army and served as an Army Ranger for 6 years. He served two tours in the Vietnam War where he was awarded a National Defense Service Medal, a Vietnam Service Medal with a Bronze Service Star, a Vietnam Campaign Medal, and a Good Conduct Medal, as well as being an expert marksman. 

In 1975, Wayne moved to Monahans, Texas and in 1980 he started Wayne’s Welding Service. In 1994, Wayne met the love of his life, Rhonda, and the two were later married in July 1995. From 1995 to 2017, Wayne owned and operated Wayne’s Welding Service. After retiring in 2017, Wayne and Rhonda moved to Lawrenceburg, Tennessee where they resided for 4 years before moving back to Monahans in 2021. After moving back to Monahans, Wayne continued his career as a truck driver until November 2024.  

On January 22, 2025, Wayne lost his short, but hard-fought battle to pancreatic cancer. In the weeks leading up to his death, he was constantly surrounded by his family.  

Wayne is survived by his wife, Rhonda Johnson; daughter, Tracey Ornelas and husband, Red; sons, Kevin Crawford and wife Robin, Derek, Josh, and Shawn Johnson; grandchildren, Brandi Hardy, Amy Bentley, Christopher Davis, Cody Ornelas, KC Crawford, Tyler Jarrett, Nick Crawford, Brooke Ornelas, Kayleigh Crawford, Katelynn Crawford, Jase Johnson, as well as numerous great-grandchildren.  

The pallbearers are Kevin Crawford, Nick Crawford, Trojan Terwilliger, Red Ornelas, Justin Hardy, Derek Johnson, Kwade Baccus, and KC Crawford. Honorary pallbearers are Cody Ornelas, and Adrian Hardy.