Washburn, John Leonard's Obituary
John Leonard Washburn, devoted husband, father and follower of Christ, went home to his Savior on Wednesday, December 17, 2025, in McKinney, Texas.
He was born in Demopolis, Alabama on April 27, 1951. He grew up in Clinton, Mississippi where he graduated from Clinton High School in 1969. Shortly after graduation, he married his true love and high school sweetheart, Frankie Elizabeth Bowen.
After high school, he joined the Mississippi Army National Guard as a Green Beret medic, serving as part of Army Detachment A, Berlin Brigade, Company B, 20th Special Forces Group. His unit spent considerable time in Bavaria, Germany during the height of the Cold War. He received special recognition during this assignment for his outstanding service and leadership during unconventional field exercises in cohort with German nationals. He achieved the rank of Staff Sergeant and was honorably discharged from service in 1976. While stationed in Stuttgart, Germany, he became a father.
After separating from the military, he continued his medical career and became certified as a respiratory therapist. He worked in this clinical field for several years before branching into the medical supply business, helping establish and build several medical supply companies in central Mississippi.
After retirement, his devotion to God led him to continue his studies and become an ordained minister. His service to Christ resulted in multiple missionary trips in Central and South America, active roles with Fellowship of Christian Athletes, and he served as an associate pastor at Calvary Baptist Church in Anna, Texas.
John is survived by his wife of 56 years, Frankie; his children, Charles Kenneth of Prosper (Laura); John Leonard Jr of Prosper (Juliet); Jennifer Bishop of Highlands Ranch, Colorado (William Ross); John Cantrell of Tupelo, Mississippi (Mary Beth); and 15 grandchildren: David, Caroline, William, Abigail, Bailey, Claiborne, Jackson, Ainsley, Johnathan, Nathaniel, Max, Presley, John Aaron, Mary Alice and Walker; Sister Linda Collins of Tupelo, MS; Brothers William Washburn Jr (Diane) and Nathaniel; Father-in-law Levell Bowen Sr; Mother-in-law Betty Bowen; Sister-in-law Christie Oleaga (Jeff); brother-in-law John Oleaga (Kaneez) of Sydney, Australia.
He was preceded in death by his parents, William Washburn Sr and Dixie Washburn.
In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Calvary Baptist Church of Anna chapter of Fellowship of Christian Athletes.
Memorial services will be held on Monday, December 29, at 2pm at Calvary Baptist Church in Anna, Texas.
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