John W. (Johnny) Scoggins, Jr. was born February 4, 1938 to John W. Scoggins, Sr. and Velma King Scoggins in Knox City, Texas. Johnny passed away Jan 26, 2025 in Haskell, Tx. He grew up on the family farm northwest of Rochester and resided there until April, 2023. He attended church at the Rochester Church of Christ and was a graduate of Rochester High School Class of 1956.
A visitation will be held from 6-7 p.m. at Smith Family Funeral Homes in Haskell on Tuesday, January 28, 2025. A graveside service will be at 11:00 a.m. at the Rochester Cemetery on Wednesday, January 29, 2025.
He married Teresa Martin on June 3, 1960 and they were married for 64 years. Johnny farmed and spent 30 years working in oil and gas. First for Cities Service for 20 years and then Conoco for another 10 years. In 2000, he became County Commissioner of Precinct 1 and held that position for 12 years.
Johnny never met a stranger and always had a story or a joke to tell. When you saw Johnny you better be prepared to stay a while because he could “talk your leg off!” He was an avid gun and knife collector. He and James Reid attended all of the gun and knife shows they could possibly make it to.
Johnny was a member of the Haskell County Jr. Livestock Show Board for many years. FFA and 4-H Programs were very important to him. He loved attending livestock shows and meeting new friends that became like family.
He was active in the Haskell County Historical and Genealogical Society. Johnny and friend Jim Hollingsworth came up with an idea to try to keep some of our history intact. They, along with the Precinct 1 Crew, constructed metal signs with the names of the community schools around Rochester and placed them at the sites of those schools so they wouldn’t be forgotten.
Johnny was preceded in death by his parents, father and mother in law Pat and Evie Ragsdale Martin, sister in law Odelia Martin McGuire and husband Ocie McGuire, nieces Louann Martin and Cheryl Martin Winters and a host of friends and classmates.
Johnny is survived by his wife Teresa, daughter Michelle Scoggins Thane and husband Marc of Haskell. He was known as Poppa to his Granddaughters Shalee Dunnam of Lubbock, Chelsie Thane Polk and husband Cody of Clyde and Aerial Thane Turner and Joe of Abilene and great grandsons Tristan and Leyton Polk of Clyde. Brother in Law Pat Martin and wife Jennie of Archer City. Nephews Ocie McGuire, Jr. and wife Tami of Sulphur, LA., Pat Martin III and wife Teresa of Archer City, nieces Gwen McGuire Thompson of Sulphur, LA., and Donna Martin Weaver and husband Keith of Lubbock. Cousin Charlene Mowell Bagby of Fort Worth, Todd Bagby and wife Rhonda of Fort Worth and Torre Bagby and wife Amy of Lipan. Numerous great and great great nieces and nephews. Also, his lifelong friend and roommate for the past year Bobby Gene Tidwell.
The family would like to send a special thank you to all of the nurses and staff at the Haskell Healthcare Center for taking such good care of our Johnny, Poppa and Charlie for the last couple of years. We appreciate you all so much.
The family requests memorials be made to the Rochester Cemetery Association 1410 N Ave L Haskell, TX 79521 or Haskell CISD Scholarship Fund P.O. Box 937 Haskell, TX 79521.
Online condolences can be shared with the family at www.smithfamilyfh.com.
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