Lt. Colonel Johnny M. Vergis

A full Military Graveside Service for Lt. Colonel Johnny M. Vergis, United States Air Force, 88, of Bossier City, Louisiana, will be held on Wednesday, December 20, 2023, at Rose-Neath Cemetery, 5185 Swan Lake Road, Bossier City, Louisiana, at 2:30 p.m. A visitation for friends and family will be held on Wednesday, December 20, 2023, at Rose-Neath Funeral Home, 2201 Airline Drive Bossier City, Louisiana, from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. Officiating will be Pastor Tommy Patton.

Lt. Colonel Johnny M. Vergis was born on January 9, 1935, to Michael John Vergis and Flossy Vergis in Edwight, West Virginia, and passed away from this life on Sunday, December 17, 2023, in Bossier City, Louisiana.

At age 17 Johnny joined the United States Air Force, and by age 18 was stationed in Korea, arriving one day after the ceasefire. He was present for the famous September 21, 1953, defection of a North Korean pilot, who landed his MiG-15 at Kimpo Air Base, South Korea. He later attended the University of Arizona at Tucson. Upon graduation, he attended O.T.S. and then re-entered as a Second Lieutenant. While stationed at Barksdale Air Force Base, he met the love of his life, JoElla Dormeyer. They were married in the chapel on base in 1965. During the height of the Cold War, Johnny served as the commander of O.S.I. in Aviano, Italy. He then retired as O.S.I. at Barksdale Air Force Base after serving 30 years.

Upon retirement, Johnny was retained by the United States government to perform background checks for individuals seeking clearances for sensitive positions. Later, he began publishing articles about real-life experiences growing up in a small coal mining town in West Virginia. When he wasn’t writing, he enjoyed woodworking and building things for his home. He was a devout Christian, who attended Cypress Baptist Church. He also taught his sons the meaning of the word “Integrity,” and was a lifetime example of tithing. He was married for 58 years, and his absolute favorite hobby was spending time with his family. He thought his grandkids hung the moon.

Johnny will be remembered as a loving husband, dad, grandfather, and true American Patriot.

Johnny was preceded in death by his parents, and younger sisters, Sophie and Janette Vergis. He is survived by his loving wife, JoElla Vergis; sons, Michael Vergis and wife, Caroline, Joseph Vergis and wife, Rene and Nick Vergis and wife, Sara; grandchildren, Lia, Lexi, Nick, Joseph, Caroline, Chris, Rylan, Carlie, John, Zoe, Alex, and Sophie along with a host of other relatives, extended family, and friends.