Johnny Lee Glory
02/19/1954 – 01/29/2019

Johnny was born and raised in Arcata, California and he was a proud Citizen of the Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma. He grew up playing Pop Warner Football and Little League as well as baseball in “The Back-Road” of Westwood Village. While in high school John bought his first car, a 1957 Chevy with money he earned planting trees. He also liked riding motorcycles, with a fondness for Triumph motorcycles.

Johnny graduated early from Arcata High School in 1972 and entered active duty service in the United States Navy. After completion of boot camp at the Naval Recruit Training Center in San Diego, Johnny received additional training as a Boiler Technician at The Great Lakes Naval Training Center in Illinois. After his graduation from Boilerman Class “A” School, Johnny purchased a 1972 Triumph Bonneville motorcycle and began a cross-country journey back to Arcata while on leave. After his leave, Johnny reported for duty aboard the USS Duluth LPD-6, homeported in San Diego, California. Johnny was proud to be part of the “Gator Navy”, the USS Duluth being one of the ships of the Navy’s Amphibious Fleet. He would often joke about delivering Marines where they needed to be.

After his dad died unexpectedly, Johnny opted to take an early separation from the Navy and return home to help support his mother and three younger siblings.

Johnny was an avid reader and collector of military firearms and paraphernalia. He was a firearm enthusiast, gaining a great deal of knowledge about military, vintage and modern firearms. With no formal training as a gunsmith, he referred to himself as a “firearm mechanic”. He had a desire for knowledge and was a graduate of the Humboldt State University Veteran’s Upward Bound Program.

Johnny was preceded in death by his parents, Ira “Blackie” Glory and Edna “Marie” Glory, and sisters Sandra Glory-Martinez and Kelly Glory-Lee. He is survived by his brother Kim Glory (Shirley), brother in-law Ed Martinez, uncle Samuel Glory and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.

A Celebration of Life followed by a potluck will be held at the Peace Officer’s Hall on Saturday May 11th, 2019 at 11 a.m. The Hall is located at 2351 Freshwater Road, Eureka. If you would like to help with the potluck, please contact Kim Glory @ kglory1776@gmail.com.

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