Honey Grove, Texas -- Johnnie Joseph Kay, 96, passed away March 1, 2026, at his home in Windom, Texas, surrounded by his family. Johnnie was born October 24, 1929, in Cookville, Texas, a son of the late John H. and Minnie M. Kay.

He graduated from Talco School in 1948. He served in the Army at Panama during the Korean Conflict. He received his Bachelor's Degree in Agriculture and Science in 1955 from ETSTC. He received his Master’s in Education in 1958 from ETSC and completed a 60 hour Administration Certificate in 1966 from ETSU.

Johnnie married Garland Ann Cameron on March 26, 1955, in Mount Pleasant, Texas. She preceded him in death on March 22, 2016. He taught school at Chapel Hill, Midway, and Harts Bluff in Titus County. Johnnie was principal, Coach, and Educator at Ector, Texas from 1966-1969. He was Superintendent and Educator at Windom, Texas from 1969-1986. He was Superintendent at Savoy from 1986-1989. He retired from Education in December 1989. He then worked for the FCSWCD for several years.

Johnnie is survived by daughters, Julia (Mark) Gilbreath, Jackie (Roger) Joyce, Jennifer (Rhett) Fendley; sons John (Kim) Kay and Joe (Deanna) Kay. He is also survived by his grandchildren: Alexis (John) Flowers, Megan (John) McCraw, Brooke (Barrett) Parten, Jacob (Amy) Kay, Zachary Kay, Kayla (Benji) Hall, Kayleb Kay, Cameron (Carter) Allen, Carsyn (Zach) Blasengame, Nixon Fendley, Scotland Fendley, Crue Fendley; great-grandchildren: Sonora Flowers, Deacon Flowers, Calum McCraw, Marley McCraw, Phoenix Hall, and Eliana Hall. He is also survived by his sisters-in-law, Lavonne (Skippy) Randle and Valeria (Bob) Ranhofer along with many nieces and nephews. Johnnie was preceded in death by his beloved wife, grandson Jarrett Joyce, great-grandson Gideon Hall, and all his siblings.

A funeral service will be held at Cooper-Sorrells Funeral Home in Honey Grove on Wednesday, March 4, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. Burial will follow at 2:30 p.m. at Gladewater Cemetery in Mount Pleasant, Texas. A visitation will be held on Tuesday evening, March 3, 2026, from 6:00 p.m.- 8:00 p.m. at Cooper-Sorrells Funeral Home in Honey Grove.  

Pallbearers are Jacob Kay, Zachary Kay, Kayleb Kay, Crue Fendley, Deacon Flowers, and Rhett Fendley.

Honorary pallbearers are Calum McCraw, Phoenix Hall, Roger Joyce, and Mark Gilbreath.

Johnnie was of Baptist Faith.

To share a memory or leave an online condolence please visit, www.coopersorrells.com