John Westmoreland 7/27/1936 - 11/30/2024

"The world sees a man who loves to laugh and loves to make people laugh. But I also see a man who is warm, caring, kind, understanding and considerate of others - not a bad combination if that person is both your boss and your friend," said a speaker during Johnny Westmoreland's retirement celebration from State Farm Insurance.

A graduate of Bethany Nazarene College (now Southern Nazarene University), Johnny enlisted in the Oklahoma Air National Guard before transferring to the Air Force Reserves. He served a combined total of eight years before being honorably discharged in 1963.

Johnny taught high school math and coached baseball and basketball until he settled on his future career path.

The only son of State Farm Agent Mr. (J.M.) Westmoreland and teacher Lois Crecelius Westmoreland, Johnny opened his agency in 1960 from a used desk in the back room of his father's office - a luxury for which he paid $40 a month rent!

With his determined work-ethic and natural charm, success came quickly and Johnny rose through the ranks from agent to agency manager to agency director. Though with his penchant for coaching, he felt his most rewarding position was that of Vice President of Agency for the Oklahoma-Kansas Region.

A proponent of community outreach, Johnny spent many years working with Tulsa's Project Impact Foundation (PIF), both as a representative for State Farm and continuing on the PIF board after his retirement. Honoring his years-long commitment to the betterment of Tulsa, he was named the J.D. Metcalfe Building Bridges Award recipient.

Following his storied 38-year State Farm career, Johnny continued doing what he did best … being Johnny! If he wasn't golfing and collecting holes-in-one (he has 2), he was talking about golfing. If he wasn't golfing, he was teaching Sunday school, or volunteering at the The Roc (Reaching Our City) outreach food pantry. If he wasn't golfing, he was a Stem Cell Courier, personally transporting time-sensitive, life-saving treatments across the country for the National Marrow Donor Program.

Never one to shy from adventure - because, "hey, there could be a good story in it"- Johnny, loved talking about his 'stunt work'. From bungee jumping in Bermuda and kissing a pig, to jumping off a 70-foot cliff at Lake Tenkiller or swimming across Lake Overholser in the middle of the night while pushing an inner tube, he always got a kick watching people's reactions.

Born in Danville, Ill., with more than his fair share of charisma, Johnny was a natural entertainer. He never failed to garner laughs with his groan-worthy dad jokes or wowing diners leaving a restaurant with his legendary Toothpick Trick! Oh, and the hours wasted when he would challenge everyone to try and balance a dime on its edge.

Family to Johnny was his everything. It mattered not if he and his beloved wife of 21 years, Edna, were cruising to exotic destinations, watching basketball or sitting quietly in the yard - he just loved spending time with her.

Johnny could never get enough time with his boys and their families - Edna's included - to make him happy. So, he was thrilled when the guys called a family meeting one day and showed up with pizza. Unfortunately, there was a cloud on the horizon and anxiety filled the room … it was time to talk about Alzheimer's.

With his characteristic humor and a grin on his face, he took the bad news in stride, cracking, "I guess I don't remember what I don't remember," and had the room laughing.

Join the Westmoreland Family as they celebrate Johnny and his remarkable life.

Visitation: Thursday, December 12, 2024

Mercer-Adams Funeral Home

6pm to 8pm

Service: Friday, December 13, 2024

Bethany First Church

11am

In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate a donation to The Roc at www.reachingourcity.org/donate, or help support the BNC/SNU Alumni Players Association via Facebook or PayPal.

Johnny is survived by his wife, Edna Baker Westmoreland; son, Jeff Westmoreland and his wife Susan and daughter, Paige; son, KP Westmoreland his wife Susan and sons Reese and Kellan Westmoreland, Gavin Stewart and daughters, Madison Ochoa and Ashlyn Stewart; Step-son Byron Baker, children Caitlin Billy, Greyson Baker and Avery Baker; Step-son Shawn Baker, his wife, Lesli Ward-Baker, and sons Coleson and Davidson Baker, and Bodie Mankin; and many great-grandchildren. Johnny was preceded in death by his parents, J.M. and Lois Westmoreland; sister, Becky Ward; former wife, Gilberetta Westmoreland; and step-son Jay Baker.