Loving husband of Iva Rae Brickey, and wonderful father of Nancy and Lynda, proud grandfather of Virgil (deceased) Eric (deceased) and Laurie: Great grandfather of Chris, Robert and Shelbie. He loved his step-children as well as his son-in-law, Robert and Duane and Lorrie.

He was an excellent mechanic, all around maintenance man, home builder, (3 HOMES) loved to pan for gold, and loved to hunt driving his sand buggy with friends and family. HE WAS ALSO A LOGGER AND RAILROADER. Give dad some bailing wire, and duct tape, and he could fix anything! He taught his girls to do whatever it took to fix things for themselves, which included changing tires, setting points n plugs, and basic auto upkeep. He spent a lot of time digging holes, and making flower beds for Iva to plant her Iris garden in, and for a time, maintained a vegetable garden to envy! They had a small ranch in San Simon, Arizona, where they raised beef and pigs, and had a small vegetable garden as well. He worked this little farm (50 acres) until his emphysema kicked in from when he worked at the Crusher at Magma. They finally sold the farm. WE HAD SOME GOOD MEMORIES THERE.

John worked for the Southern Pacific Railroad from 1945 until he went to work at Magma in 1956. During the strikes at Magma, he would go to the White Mountains and worked cutting and hauling logs to the mills. He started his mining career when his brother-in-law, PRESTON WRIGHT, helped him get a job at magma. HE WORE THE OLD TYPE MAROON HARD HAD, AND DOUBLE RESPIRATOR.

Johnny and Iva were married for almost 56 years.

Johnny was born in Plainview, HALE, Texas to William and Ella (Peacock) Cardell, the fourth child of 13. His brothers and sisters (all deceased ) were: Charlie, Dock, Opal (Humphrey), Mildred (Caudill), Mary (Dungan), Murel Eugene (Killed in WWII), Lola (McGovern), Sister, MATTIE FOSTER I sister, Ursie (died young), Billy M., and brother BOBBY.

They were all raised at Lordsburg, New Mexico, where they settled in 1936.

(1956) John and Iva moved to San Manuel, Arizona, where John worked at Magma Copper Corporation (LATER BHP) until his retirement in 1970's.

They lived first in San Manuel, then in Oracle for a short time, before buying land in Mammoth, building a home, (1 IN TUCSON-SOLD) and then thinking of their retirement and the wonderful climate, bought land in Oracle and built another home where they remained for the rest of their lives.

Both were members of the First Southern Baptist Church, first in Oracle, and then at Mammoth. For a time John was the caretaker at the First Southern Baptist Church in Oracle.

He served in the US ARMY during WWII and worked as a civilian at the POW Camp (fireman) at Lordsburg, HIDALGO, NM. Sometime during that time, John lost three fingers, which earned him the title of "Hook" from his fellow miners.

I still want to pick up the phone and call dad and mom.....they are greatly missed.

He rests beisde his wife, Iva, together again, forever!

HIS SISTERS LOLA, MARY AND OPAL ARE BURIED HERE, AS WELL AS TWO NIECES AND TWO BROTHER-IN-LAWS. THE STACEY BOYS ARE DISTANT KIN OF IVA RAE'S.

Two grandsons are at findagrave

Virgil

Eric

SISTER MATTIE DIED IN MAY 2018.

THE LAST BROTHER, BOBBY HAS PASSED.

What we have once enjoyed, we can never lose...

All that we love deeply becomes a part of us.

-Helen Keller