Johnnie Best

Johnnie Milburn Best, 79, of Hillsboro died Thursday, April 15, 2010, at Hillcrest Baptist Medical Center in Waco. Johnnie was born September 2, 1930 in Ovalo, TX son of the late Raymond and Alcie Best. As a young child he moved to Crane and graduated from Crane High School. During the Korean War, he served his country in the U. S. Air Force. On June 10, 1955 he married Wanda Caudle in Crane and she preceded him in death on January 4, 2010. For 17 years, he worked for NASA in communications living in Santiago, Chile for part of those years. The couple also lived in California and later Maryland, before he joined Texaco. While with Texaco, they lived in Quito, Equador for 12 years. He retired from Texas-New Mexico pipeline in Hobbs, NM. In 2001, they moved to Hillsboro. He enjoyed sharing his NASA experience with classes at Hillsboro Elementary School. He was a member of College Hill Church of Christ in Hillsboro and was active in the local CERT team and citizens police academy. Survivors include his children, Randy Best and wife, Lynn, of College Park, MD, Garry Best and wife, Diane, of Mt. Airy, MD, and Connie Best of Abbott; brother, Lee Ray Best and wife, Ethel, of Alto; six grandchildren, Candy and Randall Best of College Park, MD, and Erin, Lauren, Joseph, and Thomas Best of Mt. Airy, MD; and two nieces, two nephews, and their families. Memorials may be made to College Hill Church of Christ, P. O. Box 375, Hillsboro, TX 76645.