Johnny Ray Hearon, 81, a resident of St. Maries, Idaho, passed away on February 16, 2026, at Valley Vista Care Center. He was born February 28, 1944, in Dallas, Texas, to Charlie and Ann Hearon.

Johnny grew up in the Mineola, Texas area and left school at the age of 17 to begin working on oil rigs — the first step in a lifetime of hard work and adventure. He also spent time roofing alongside his brother Frank, but the oil patch would become the backbone of his career.

Over the years, Johnny truly did a little bit of everything. He built a long career in the oil industry, working his way up from setting tools to becoming a tool pusher and eventually a consultant on oil and natural gas wells in California. In between oilfield jobs, he owned his own trucking company and drove logging truck. Johnny wasn't afraid of hard work, and he wasn't afraid to chase opportunity wherever it led him.

His lifelong dream was to own a horse ranch, and he proudly ran one until his retirement in 2008. Sadly, after surviving an airplane crash, he never fully recovered from the head injury he sustained.

Johnny's journey took him across Texas, Arizona, California, Oregon, and eventually Idaho. While working in Myrtle Creek, Oregon, he met Sharyn See at the local Dairy Queen. Their courtship was short, and they married. Work later pulled Johnny away and the marriage ended, but five years later he returned, and the two remarried. Together they had two daughters. Though their marriage eventually ended in divorce, they remained amicable and committed to their children.

After the separation, daughter Stephanie joined her dad for an adventure of her own — the two restored an old boat and even lived aboard it for a time, creating memories neither would forget.

Johnny loved gold mining and spent time dredging, owning property in Texas and Nevada near areas where he mined. He was a talented woodworker and handyman, skilled with his hands and always building or fixing something. He reloaded shotgun shells and, with Sharyn by his side, enjoyed target shooting — nearly at a competitive level. Johnny never turned down a good road trip, once proudly taking his family to see the very first oil well in California — one he happened to be working himself. He also had a fondness for Triumph and Honda motorcycles and the freedom of the open road.

Johnny is survived by his daughters, Heather (Harry) Barker of Fernwood, Idaho, and Stephanie (Jason) Buswell of Fernley, Nevada; his brother, Troy "Bucky" (Linda) Hearon of Longview, Texas; seven grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; the mother of his children, Sharyn; and his siblings Pat, Billy, and Frank.

Johnny will be laid to rest in Mineola, Texas. There will be no local services held.