During his last years, John Lyons Balser, 97, had many dreams he loved to recall, and enjoyed sharing these recollections with his family and friends while living at Aston Court Retirement Community.

Born in McComb, July 28, 1922, he was the son of George and Irma Balser. One of ten children, he loved to talk about his high school days at St. Mary of the Pines in Chatawa where he had the distinction of being the only boy in his class. Later he worked as an apprentice for the Illinois Central Railroad before joining the U.S. Army, serving in England, France and Germany during World War II in Gen. George Patton's Third Army. In 2014 he was awarded the National Order of the Legion of Honor medal from France, the country's highest decoration to World War II heroes.

After he returned from the war, he attended St. Joseph's College in Rensselaer, Ind. He also grew in his love for photography, an art form that intrigued him ever since he learned to develop film.

In 1945 he reconnected with classmate Virginia at an SMP high school reunion in New Orleans. They began dating, married in 1948, and opened a photography studio, first in Ville Platte, La., and two years later, moved to Johnny's hometown of McComb,

During his profession, which spanned 37 years, he searched for innovative ways to improve his work while inventing and patenting a flash bracket for cameras. He retired just before the advent of digital photography. Along with other family members, Johnny owned and operated Balser Christmas Tree Farm for more than 20 years. He also found time to maintain his own backyard garden and harbored a love for growing vegetables. His cluttered, yet highly organized workshop was his kingdom. He could fix anything and was the neighborhood handyman.

He read extensively, particularly books about evolution and theology. A member of St. Alphonsus Catholic Church for more than 60 years, he cherished his role as a Sunday school teacher for high school students. He also embraced ecumenism and had many friends of all faiths. He was involved in the Knights of Columbus, The Boy Scouts of America, the McComb Lions Club, and was an associate of the School Sisters of Notre Dame.

Not only did Johnny love to tell war stories, He loved to tell any story. Jokes were his forte. And then, having told them, laughed louder than anyone within hearing distance. He also enjoyed sharing news with his group of cronies who met every Saturday morning for coffee at Burger King for years.

His fatherly influences and examples extended well beyond the ties he shared with his two daughters Valerie and Mary Agnes. Many others in his neighborhood and community also regarded him as a father figure. Johnny loved his work and bonded well with almost everyone he met. He specialized in making people smile and always said people were on their best behavior at weddings.

He loved annual summer family vacations and later, traveling with Virginia. As a couple, they flew to Europe on the 50 ^th anniversary of D Day and visited every French town Johnny remembered from his war days. He was a true ambassador for America.

He loved seafood, especially boiled crabs and shrimp. Other favorite eats included chocolate covered cherries, boiled peanuts, Vienna sausages, and Hershey Kisses. Every Tuesday night for years he laughed vigorously during The Red Skelton Hour. He also saw everything through the eyes of a creative mechanic and in his final years, even referred to his walker as his "machine."

He was preceded in death by his wife, Virginia Gaisser Balser; his father, George Balser and mother Irma Lyons Balser; three brothers, George Balser, Fred Balser, and Austin Balser; three sisters, Kathleen Balser, Sister Kathlyn Balser SSND, and Sister Dorothy Balser SSND. He is survived by daughters Valerie Balser Winn (Frank) of Gautier, and Mary Agnes Balser Hough of Trent Woods, N.C.; three siblings, The Rev. Edward Balser of Jackson; Beverly Gent of McComb, and Dickie Balser (Katie) of McComb; his grandchildren, Jeff Hough (Amy) of Little Rock, Ark.; Alison Hough Quebedeaux (Luke) of Trent Woods, N.C.; seven great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be Monday, December 2, 2019 from 9-11 a.m. followed by a burial mass in St. Alphonsus Catholic Church with Father Suresh officiating. Internment will be in Hollywood Cemetery. In lieu of flowers. Please make donations to The Wounded Warriors Program, Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 758516, Topeka, Kansas 66675-8516