Johnny M. Desper

Johnny Desper passed away November 22, 2025, in his birthplace and life-long hometown of Oklahoma City. Born January 6, 1945, Johnny was a proud 1963 graduate of Capitol Hill High School. He retired as a Tinker Air Force Base civil servant in 2000 after 30+ years, and from the Oklahoma Army National Guard in 2005 after achieving the rank of Chief Warrant Officer 4.

Johnny reveled in many of the simple joys in life. He enjoyed travel, especially exploring the nooks and crannies of Oklahoma backroads and Route 66. He enjoyed a weekly sampling of local restaurants with dear friends Wayne and Judy. He collected business cards almost everywhere he went, a natural extension to the decades of postcard collecting he had done. Through all of this, he was quick to strike up a conversation with the people he met and snap lots of photos. When he wasn’t out and about, he was home rooting for Sooner athletic teams.

He was preceded in death by his parents Tom and Ella Mae, his first wife Sharon and his second wife Orinda, and his sister Doris and brother-in-law Don. He is survived by his daughters Rhonda and Tracy, son Michael and “his favorite” daughter-in-law Patty, stepdaughter Deborah and her husband Jack, niece Melanie, and nephews Steve and Jeff.

As per Johnny’s wishes, he was cremated and there will be no service, but the family asks that you take a moment to raise a glass of your favorite libation to toast a life well-lived.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Oklahoma National Guard Museum or to the Sooner Club in support of OU Student Athletes.