John “Johnny” Standridge

FORT SMITH - John Wayne “Johnny” Standridge, 82, of Fort Smith, Arkansas passed away on December 19, 2023 in a local hospital after surgery. He was born in Fort Smith to Milles and Faye (Nixon) Standridge. He was the “Johnny” of Johnny’s Transmission of Fort Smith, which he started when he was a very young man. He was well known in the area for his expertise in the transmission business. His son Perry Standridge is now carrying on the tradition of the business that was started in 1960 by his Dad. Johnny was still building transmissions until the last week of his life. He was an avid golfer in the early days, playing in tournaments at the Palm Springs, California Golf Course as well as the Fianna Hills Country Club golf course. He enjoyed his role of being grandfather to Kenzi, Kati and Gerrit. Johnny was a wonderful cook and was famous for the fudge he made to share with family and friends.

He is survived by his loving wife of 63 years, Betty Bartlett Standridge; two sons, Darrell Standridge and Perry Standridge (Kim) both of Fort Smith; twin granddaughters, Kenzi and Kati Griffin and grandson, Gerrit Standridge; a sister, Millie Rainey of Downey CA; sisters in law, Virginia Tedder of Searcy, AR and Phyllis Ann Byrum of Benton AR; nieces, Cheryl Bruner of Henderson, NV, Christy Rainey of Downey, CA; Martha Patton (Bill) of Searcy, AR and Amy Golden (Bryan) of Little Rock, AR; nephews, Curtis Byrum (Sue) of Rockwall, TX and Andrew Tedder of South Salem, NY and cousins, Berry Sue Cook of Fort Worth, TX and Barbara Norman (Carel) of Van Buren, AR.

Johnny was generous with friends and family through the years and cherished many friends, especially Sandra and Jerry Neal and children. They were friends from the 60’s and remained good friends through the years.

A private celebration of life will be held after the first of the year.

Cremation was under the direction of Ocker-Putman Funeral Home of Fort Smith, AR.