Johnny LeRoy Brinkley

Johnny LeRoy Brinkley was born on January 23, 1946, at his grandmother's home in Maysville, Oklahoma, to Travis George and Anna Leona (Amos) Brinkley. He grew up in Maysville. The family moved to California in 1963, where John finished High School in Paramount, Ca. He later joined the Navy where he did three tours in Vietnam. Near the end of the second tour, he was airlifted by Helicopter from the USS ORLICK (A Destroyer) and sent back to San Diego for six weeks of survival training. He returned to Vietnam where he was in charge of a fireboat patrolling up and down the rivers. He was there another 13 months. He returned to California after his honorable discharge.
John spent most of his life as a mechanic. When he wasn't working, he liked spending time camping, hunting, and especially fishing. His brother Rick said, when fishing together they tended to have mishaps resulting in many laughs and memories. When family got together you would always find John around the table playing games and telling jokes. He loved to feed people when they visited, and it was a special treat when he made his famous biscuits and gravy for them. John was a man of many talents; there was nothing he could not do. If there was something he needed or wanted and could not find the right thing he would just design it and build it himself and he could fix anything. He enjoyed drinking Coke with peanuts in it, especially while on the road. Speaking of on the road, he was never lost, he would simply say, "I'm just taking a shortcut." John loved his cowboy boots and hat; he was truly a cowboy stuck in the city.
John was met at Heaven's gate on October 22, 2025 by his parents, Travis and Anna, and his sister Shirley Horn.
He is survived by his wife Carol, his son and daughter-in-law John and Kristi Brinkley, Carol's children, Scott and Amber. Grandchildren, Jessy and her husband, David Bjork, Dylan and his wife Kristen Brinkley, Jordan and his wife Sayori Brinkley. Great grandchildren, Skyla, Aurora, Aria, and David LeRoy Bjork. Brothers, Tom and his wife Brenda Brinkley, Rick and his wife Harriet Chilcoat, nieces, nephews, and many friends.
Memorial Services to honor John will be held at 11am on December 4, 2025 at the American Legion in Hanford, 401 N Irwin St. Hanford, CA 93230.