Johnnie Louis Alston, a cherished husband, devoted father, legendary “Papa Johnnie,” and distinguished veteran, passed away peacefully at his home in Pineville, Louisiana, on Friday, October 23, 2026, at the age of 77, surrounded by the love of his family.
Funeral services celebrating Johnnie’s remarkable life will be held on Thursday, October 29, 2026, at 11:00 AM in the Chapel of Gallagher Funeral Home in Ball, Louisiana, with Reverend Lloyd Whitman officiating. Burial with full military honors will follow at Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Ball.
The family requests that a visitation be held in Johnnie’s honor on Thursday, October 29, 2026, beginning at 9:00 AM until shortly before service time at 11:00 AM in the Chapel of Gallagher Funeral Home in Ball, Louisiana.
Johnnie was a true gentleman in every sense of the word. He possessed a rare, kind soul; he never met a stranger and had an innate ability to make anyone he spoke with feel genuinely important and valued. An avid outdoorsman, Johnnie found great peace and joy in nature, always looking forward to the quiet camaraderie of a good deer hunt. He also loved traveling and exploring new places, but his greatest journey and deepest passion was always his family. To his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, he was their beloved “Papa Johnnie”-a foundational pillar of warmth, strength, and endless love.
A proud patriot, Johnnie dedicated much of his life to defending his country and serving his community. He was a brave Vietnam War veteran and a recipient of the Purple Heart, enduring the trials of combat with true resilience. He continued his military career within the Louisiana Army National Guard, ultimately retiring after 35 years of honorable service at the elite rank of Chief Warrant Officer 4 (CW4). His legacy as a master technical expert and a mentor to countless soldiers will not be forgotten.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Claude Napoleon Alston and Lula Lorraine Lofton Alston; his brother, Doug Alston; and his sisters, Claudia Snell and Earline Black.
Those left to cherish his beautiful memory include his loving wife of 54 years, Shelley Bordelon Alston; his daughters, Melissa R. Clanton and her husband Jacob, and Christine R. Halley and her husband Jamey; his seven grandchildren, Hunter, Allen, Molly, JohnMason, Sam, Maddie, and JohnScott; and his seven great-grandchildren, Axel, River, Trapper, Oakley, Rhydian, Copelynn, and James David. He also leaves behind a host of extended family, brothers-in-arms, and close friends who will miss his generous spirit and bright smile.
Honored to serve as pallbearers will be JohnMason Halley, JohnScott Porter, Sam Halley, Willie Black, Jason Alston, and Chad Alston.