John Howard Zinn, 81, Blair, passed away on Tuesday, February 20, 2024, at his home. John was born on June 16, 1942, in Altus, Oklahoma to Jake and Aline (Ward) Zinn.

John grew up in Blair and graduated from Blair High School in 1960. He enrolled at Altus Junior College, but within a few weeks, he and a buddy left for California. He stayed in California until he was drafted into the US Army in 1964. He served for two years and was stationed in Augsburg, Germany as a military policeman. After his service, John married the girl who was waiting on him, Sue Northington, in Blair, Oklahoma on August 19, 1966. They moved to Fountain Valley, California in 1966 and John went back to work for Kaiser Steel. He previously worked at Kaiser Steel before being drafted. He was there for a brief period before applying with Kell Gregg Weed Spraying Company and working there for 2 years. He traveled up and down the Pacific Coast Highway spraying housing tracts for contractors. John then went to work for the Los Angeles Times, Orange County Division, and worked as a pressman for 7 years. After Johnny and Sue moved back to Blair in 1977, Johnny worked alongside his dad at Jake’s company, Blair Lumber Company, until the business closed in 2002. Johnny and Sue spent the rest of their lives raising their kids and enjoying their grandkids. Johnny loved football and enjoyed board games, old movies, and the simple things. He was of the Methodist faith. His parents, Jake and Aline Zinn; mother-in-law and father-in-law, Vannie and Raymond Northington; a sister-in-law, Dolly Northington; and two nieces, Sarah Wolford and Cynthia Aline Gray, preceded him in death.

Survivors include his wife, Sue, of the home; 3 children, Jason Ray Zinn and wife, Danielle, John Dalton Zinn, and Christopher Drew Zinn and wife, Xochilt Marie; two brothers-in-law, Dalton Northington and wife, Maria, and Paul Pierce, who passed a week later on February 27; a sisterin- law, Gwyn Pierce; six grandchildren, Jake Zinn, Jesse Zinn and wife, Nicole, Kiefer Zinn, Jordan Harman and husband, Ty, Hailey Grace Zinn and significant other, Tyler Fridinger, and Christian Zinn; three great grandchildren, Wyatt Zinn, and Mesa and Wiley Harman; and three sisters, Jan Davis and husband, Rick, Nan Reynolds, and Margaret Fay Wolford and husband, Tom; as well as many loving nieces and nephews.

Private services will be held at a later date. Memorial contributions may be made to the Michael J. Fox Foundation or to the Lewy Body Dementia Association.