Johnny Wilson Grider

Johnny was born in Altus Oklahoma to parents Hugh and Hallie (Young) Grider, where he graduated high school in 1949. This is where he met his wife Betty, and they married in 1950. After a stint in the Army National Guard as a Tank Sargent, he was honorably discharged. Johnny then joined the Navy where he was stationed in Japan. Upon his honorable discharge from the Navy, he attended Southwestern State University where he received his Masters in Education. His first job out of college in 1958 was teaching first through sixth grade at the Oklahoma State Reformatory located in Granite Oklahoma. He changed career paths for a few years working for the Oklahoma Department of Rehabilitation. In 1969 he returned to Oklahoma State Reformatory as the Special Assistant to the Warden. Within a short time, August 1, 1969, he was promoted to Warden replacing the retiring Warden, Josph Harp. In 1975 he was promoted to Associate Director of Corrections and he and the family relocated to Edmond Oklahoma. Johnny retired from the Oklahoma Department of Corrections in 1987. By the end of career, he was affectionately known as Mr. Corrections by his peers and those who had dealings or associations with the correction department. His favorite hobbies were hunting and fishing, particularly fishing on Lake Altus. He could never get enough of seeing his grandchildren that he loved so dearly.
Johnny is preceded in passing by his wife, Betty; parents, Hugh & Hallie; and siblings, Hugh Grider, Quinton Grider, Cody Grider, Gwenda Beavers, Hal Grider, and Rita Montrose.
He is survived by his two sons, John and Robert, and their families:
John A. (Tony) Grider and wife Carla, Norman Oklahoma, grandson Christopher Stuart Grider and wife Anna, Nashville. Great grandchildren, Ella Grace Grider and Liam John Grider, Nashville. Granddaughter Callan Grider Gonzalez and husband Vincent, OKC, Oklahoma. Great granddaughter Ophelia Gonzalez, OKC, Oklahoma.
Robert Perry Grider and wife Djuna, Edmond Oklahoma, grandson Jonathan Scott Grider and wife Bobbie, Edmond Oklahoma. Great grandchildren Brennon Tyler Goforth, Evelyn Grace Grider and Olivia June Grider, Edmond Oklahoma. Granddaughter Samantha Nichole Dewees and husband Andrew Moore Oklahoma. Great Grandchildren Scottie Rose Dewees, Everett Wilson Dewees and Lonna Mae Dewees, Moore Oklahoma. Grandson Robert Vaughn Grider and fiancée Laura Scoggin, Oklahoma City. Granddaughter Natalie Rae Priddle and husband Scott, Naenae, Lower Hutt New Zealand, great grandchildren Victoria Oriana Te Koeti Priddle and Marceline Luna Priddle, Naenae, Lower Hutt New Zealand.
John is also survived by his sister, Carolyn Russell whom Johnny referred to as "Little Sister".
Johnny had many nieces and nephews from his and Betty's family that he loved dearly and Betty's living sister Ellen Hankins that Johnny remained in contact with.
In lieu of flowers, the family of Johnny asks that you please consider making a donation to the Down Syndrome Association of Central Oklahoma. A link to make a donation may be found below under "Memorial Contributions", or by mail to:
Down Syndrome Association of Central Oklahoma
521 W Wilshire Blvd # 130, Oklahoma City, OK 73116
A Graveside service will take place on Saturday, July 13, 2024 @11:30am at Restlawn Memorial Park in Altus, Oklahoma.