Mr. Johnny Max Permenter

Johnny Max Permenter, 81, fell asleep in death on May 9, 2026, at his home in Pollard, Arkansas. Born on October 30, 1944, in Piggott, Arkansas, he was the son of the late John Henry Permenter and Belva Edwards Permenter. As a young man shingling a roof, Johnny’s attention was captured when a school bus passed by carrying a beautiful 16-year-old redhead seated by the window. Determined to meet her, he found out what church she attended. After two years of letter writing and even a little school skipping, Johnny and Debbie were united in marriage on February 25, 1970, beginning a loving union that lasted 56 years. To this marriage, two daughters were born, both especially blessed to have him as their father. Johnny loved animals from an early age and always enjoyed raising cattle, breaking and riding horses, and working outdoors. A true jack of all trades, he was skilled in carpentry, tractor work, and concrete finishing. He retired from Monroe Automotive after 36 years of dedicated employment. Johnny was also a licensed Arkansas auctioneer. Anyone fortunate enough to attend one of his auctions left impressed by the speed of his chant, his energy, and the fun personality he brought to every event. Most of all, Johnny loved God’s Word and sharing it with others. He was a faithful Jehovah’s Witness who followed Jesus’ example by showing love, humility, kindness, and patience to everyone he met. Always positive and blessed with a good sense of humor, Johnny was truly a joy to be around. He was a loving and devoted husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather whose life was a testimony to putting faith and family first. He strived to live out 2 Timothy 4 :7 "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith". He was preceded in death by his father, John Henry Permenter; his mother, Belva Edwards Permenter; his sister, JoAnn Permenter Satterfield; paternal grandparents, William Jesse Permenter and Luna Johnson Permenter; and maternal grandparents, “Jack” Rolla Spencer Edwards and Virgie Lucinda Edwards. Johnny is survived by his loving wife, Debbie Permenter of Pollard, Arkansas; two daughters, LaRhonda Briseno of Florence, Alabama, and Kristy Dollins and husband Tony of Poplar Bluff, Missouri; three grandchildren, Kilah Canerday, Ean Briseno, and Junah Briseno, all of Florence, Alabama; two great-grandchildren, Xander Canerday and Fallon Canerday of Florence, Alabama; two brothers, Deloyd Edwards and wife Carolyn of Pollard, Arkansas, and Spencer Permenter and wife Patricia of Pollard, Arkansas; and one sister, Angie Parrish and husband Gary of Piggott, Arkansas. Visitation will be held at 2:00 p.m., with a memorial service beginning at 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, May 23, 2026, at the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses, located at 1415 US 49 in Paragould, Arkansas, with Randall Henrichsen officiating. Tri-City Crematory Funeral Home is honored and privileged to serve the Permenter family. Online condolences may be shared at www.tri-cityllc.com .

Mr. Johnny Max Permenter

October 30, 1944 - May 9, 2026