Johnny Wayne Bedford

Johnny Wayne Bedford, 72, of Big Spring, Texas formerly of Lubbock, Texas passed away on Sunday, December 28^th, 2025. Viewing and visitation with the family will be from 2:00 to 4:00 pm on Sunday afternoon, January 4^th, 2026 with open viewing all day from 1:00 to 9:00 pm at Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home, 906 S Gregg St, Big Spring, Texas 79720. The funeral service will be at College Baptist Church, 1105 Birdwell Lane,  in Big Spring on Monday, January 5^th, 2026 at 11:00 am with interment immediately following at Mount Olive Memorial Park.

Johnny was born on May 31, 1953, in Colorado City, Texas to Bob and Dorcas Bedford. Johnny grew up in Colorado City until his family moved to Big Spring in 1970, where he went to and graduated from Big Spring High School in 1972. He attended Howard College, and then went to work for the City of Big Spring Water Treatment Plant. On June 11, 1976, Johnny married the love of his life, Desiree Wagner at Crestview Baptist Church. The Lord blessed them with over forty-nine wonderful years of marriage and four children: Lavenda Stuart, Kaleena Knox, Ryne Bedford, and Lorisa Chrisman.

In December of 1982, Johnny, Desiree, and their family moved to Odessa where he worked for the City of Odessa Water Treatment Plant for eleven years. They then moved to Lubbock and he worked for that city’s Water Treatment Plant until he retired in 2016. All four of their kids graduated from New Deal High School. While the kids were growing up, Johnny enjoyed many years of coaching them as they played softball and baseball. Johnny also loved Charlie Brown, Snoopy, and all of the Peanuts characters. He always tried to make sure that the Charlie Brown Christmas special was played at Christmas, mainly because it told the story of Jesus in an easily understandable way.

Being an Avid Baseball fan, Johnny’s team of choice was the Houston Astros, a team that he followed since they were originally formed as the Colt 45’s in 1962. Being such an avid fan earned him an Astros themed retirement ceremony when he retired from the City of Lubbock’s Water Treatment Plant. He was even given a custom jersey with his last name and the number 22 1/2 on its back to indicate the number of years that he had worked for the city. They also provided him with several other items of Astro’s memorabilia.

Johnny and Desiree made the Lubbock and New Deal area their home for 30 years attending New Deal First Baptist Church for the first half of those 30 years while the children were still at home and then attending Redbud Baptist Church for the last half of those 30 years. After retirement, Johnny suffered with Alzheimer’s. When his symptoms became too hard for Desiree to handle alone, they moved back to Big Spring and in with Desiree’s mom, Janice Wagner, so that Desiree could have help taking care of him. They quickly joined College Baptist Church to continue their love for God and His people. During the last six months of his life, Johnny resided at Parkview Skilled Care & Rehab Center, where he became a favorite of the staff, because of his quirky and sweet personality. He always loved music and would smile whenever he heard it. While at Parkview, when music was playing, he would start dancing around, which is something he never did before the Alzheimer’s. He passed away peacefully on Sunday afternoon, December 28th, at the age of 72 in University Medical Center Hospital in Lubbock.

Johnny and Desiree grew up as an active part of the youth group at Crestview Baptist Church in Big Spring. Johnny had committed his life to Jesus while he lived in Colorado City, and as a part of Crestview, Johnny became a faithful servant of his Lord. Johnny and Desiree developed a very strong bond with many of the teenagers at Crestview, which continued throughout his whole life. He loved to provide rides for any of those teenagers who needed them. He served alongside the Complete Seven and Relative Four, two singing groups, booking and driving them to many churches as they shared the gospel message in song. He will always be remembered for his even-keeled temperament and his joy in the Lord. He loved to laugh, and he truly enjoyed life.

Even after losing some of his memory, he never forgot the most important thing in life. He would walk up to people (even his wife) and ask, “Do you know Jesus?” That’s Johnny Bedford. He wanted to make sure you knew Jesus and were headed for heaven. If he could speak today, he would more than likely ask you the same thing.

Johnny was preceded in death by his parents, Bob and Dorcas Bedford.

He is survived by his loving and precious wife, Desiree as well as their four children and their spouses: Lavenda and David Stuart; Kaleena and Kraig Knox; Lorisa and Bryan Chrisman; and Ryne and Joanne Bedford. He is also survived by twelve (count them!)—twelve grandkids: Kailey, Kylar, and Kariss Knox; Justin and Luke Stuart; Ava Alahambra and Asher John Bedford; Kyden, Ashlynn, Harlee, Melody, and Elizabeth Chrisman. He is also survived by his sister Bobbie Swan and her husband Clyde, his brother Tommy Bedford and his wife Priscilla, his mother-in-law, Janice Wagner, his brother-in-law Doug Wagner and his wife Denise, and numerous nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews.

Johnny leaves behind many good friends and a large Christian family, who are so much more than just good friends from his Crestview days and that amazing youth group. We have comfort knowing that he is happy in the presence of Jesus, and he is running down the streets of gold, in the bright green fields of grass, and loving it. He will be missed but never forgotten.

Arrangements are under the direction of Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home and Crematory.  Online condolences can be made at www.npwelch.com

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