Johnie Lee Qualls

Johnie Lee Qualls, 75, of Midland, Texas passed away Tuesday, December 19, 2017. Rosary service will be held at 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, December 21, 2017 at St. Stephen's Catholic Church. Funeral Mass will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, December 22, 2017 at St. Stephen's Catholic Church. Johnie Lee was born on December 28, 1941 to Oscar Lee and Mildred Aline Qualls in Winslow, Arizona. Johnie Lee grew up as an Air Force Brat with his family, living from Alaska to Puerto Rico and everywhere else in between. He served in the Army from 1961- 1967, was a paratrooper in the 173rd Airborne Brigade, LRRP, and served 2 tours of duty in Vietnam. As an adult he traveled 2 1/2 times around the World from India, SE Asia to Europe. He finally settled in Frankfurt, Germany, where he was working for Encyclopedia Brittanica selling all around Europe through AAFES military bases and where he also met the love of his life, Gladys, and after a brief court ship, they married in her hometown, Amsterdam, the Netherlands, and when he passed away, he was just shy of 14 days celebrating being married for 40 years. In 1981 they finally moved back to the US, lived in different states until they finally settled 23 years ago in Midland, TX, where they raised their 2 wonderful sons, Tim and Andrew. Fellow Veterans were Johnie Lee's passion and in 2004 he started a non-profit Veteran's Organization, Soldiers of Today and Yesterday, where through various fundraisers and grants he was able to help fellow Veterans with financial help or counseling, or just provide a listening ear to their troubles. He loved to barbecue and was known for his famous "Johnie Lee's Briskets". He cooked them to feed over 4000 Katrina evacuees in 2005, and the National Guards in Midland and El Paso when they were being deployed just to name a few. He was an active member with St. Stephen's Catholic Church, Knights of Columbus, VFW, and American Legion. He is survived by his wife Gladys Qualls; sons, Christopher John Beck (Missy), Timothy Lee Qualls, (Katie O'Day Qualls) Andrew Blake Qualls, Granddaughter Felicia Olson, and Griffin Lee Qualls. He is preceded in death by his parents, Oscar Lee and Mildred Qualls, Sisters, Mona Lee Qualls, Carol Lee Beck, Brother, Jerry Qualls. The family would like to thank all the doctors and medical staff at Memorial ER, Hospital, Health South, especially Dr. Paul Best, caretakers and nurses with Comfort Keepers, Encompass Home Health Care, St. Joseph's Home Health Care, for the care of Johnie Lee. Arrangements are under the direction of Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home & Crematory of Midland. Online condolences may be made at www.npwelch.com.