Thank you for visiting our blog, a page created to honor Johnny Antoon (Mr. Johnny).
Mr. Johnny resides in Natchitoches, Louisiana, home of Northwestern State University. As a local business owner Mr. Johnny has created job opportunities for college students over a span of 35 years. He embraces all regardless of social or cultural differences. After graduation, many of his employees have gone on to become doctors, lawyers, teachers, corporate leaders and contributing members of society within their communities. He played a major role in each of their lives leading by example, demonstrating superior work ethic, the highest moral standards and Christian values.
When you work for Mr. Johnny you quickly learn that it’s no ordinary job; you are part of a family. This family includes employees of the past, present and future; loyal patrons; and Mr. Johnny’s beautiful wife and children.
Mr. Johnny was recently diagnosed with a form of cancer called Multiple Myeloma. For those of you unfamiliar, it’s a malignant disease of the most mature form of B lymphocyte, the plasma cell. Over the course of the next 3 months Mr. Johnny will be undergoing chemotherapy and a bone marrow transplant.
Because of Mr. Johnny’s endless contributions to NSU, the college students that attend NSU and his community want to honor him by collecting donations for his cancer treatment that in total will cost well over $100,000.
For more information on Multiple Myeloma click here.
Donations:
In Person
- Visit any La Capitol Federal Credit Union and provide the account number 435248 for the Danielle Antoon Account.
- To search for a location near you please click the La Capitol Federal Credit Union link on the top right of this page and search locations.
- Donations can also be made in nearly 4,000 affiliate credit unions. To search for affiliate locations please click the La Capitol Federal Credit Union link on the top right of this page, click locations, and search Credit Union Service Centers Branch Locator (Nationwide).
By Mail
- To mail in donations make checks payable to La Capitol #435248 and mail to La Capitol Federal Credit Union, 311 Keyser Ave., Natchitoches, La, 71457 with attention to Rhonda Hernandez.
For Online Donations Click Below
- This account will remain open until further notice, so multiple contributions will be greatly appreciated.
- After you make a donation, please send your name and address to: johnnyantoonfund@gmail.com. We would like to send out thank you cards.
- We are required to inform you that all donations made to The Johnny Antoon Fund will not be tax deductible.
- Donations made over $3,000 are automatically reported to the IRS.
- In addition, Danielle Antoon will be named executor of The Johnny Antoon Fund... which means that she will be taxed if single donations over the amount of $3,000 enter the account.
- If you would like to donate more than $3,000 we would appreciate it if you broke it into smaller increments to prevent Danielle from being penalized by the IRS.
Thank You!
For more information email johnnyantoonfund@gmail.com
26 comments:
My favorite memory is when Mr. Johnny and Mrs. Merle had Thanksgiving dinner for everyone one year at the restaurant. It was so much fun and everyone was such a part of their family. It really was a great day!I also remember when Mr. Johnny would go into the kitchen and cook and yell...lol...I stil laugh when I think about it...
Mr. Johnny you were a "dad" to so many people. You took care of us, helped us out when we needed it and kept us all in line. I am so glad that when I visited Natchitoches for Christmas Fest. you were able to meet my little girl.
You and your family are in our prayers and we love ya'll so much!
Brandi Nugent
Choosing one Mr. Johnny story is too difficult, instead, I intend to post many over the course of his treatment. In a perfect world I'd be a writer for Rolling Stone, so this works out to my advantage. Who is a bigger Rock Star than Johnny Antoon?
There are very few men like him, men that have the ability to touch the lives of so many young people. Not only does he impact their lives, he leaves a lasting impression. That being said, in my first Mr. Johnny post I plan to first familiarize readers with a few of Mr. Johnny's favorite things (not to be confused with raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens)...
1) Pirate's Whiskey - gin & tonic with too many bitter slices of lime
2) Howard - best friend, confidante, relentless Antoon's patron
3) The Dallas Cowboys
4) Fresh popcorn at Antoon's
5) Joe - pet, best friend and listener
To be contd...
Love ya Mr. Johnny!
Samantha
Adding to the whole Rock Star reference, who has 700 facebook fans that doesn't know how to use facebook besides Johnny Antoon? Keith Richards maybe???
haha :)
WHERE ARE THOSE &*&^*^%^$*^$^^%&^$ KEYS!!!?????
CHRIS
Here's one that not many people know...."The night ownership of the store switched over to Harold Singletary". Let's just say the U. S. Navy got involved in the bet.
I think my favorite thing about Mr. Johnny is he pretends he doesn't like Uncle Howard. It would just crack me up when he saw Howard walk in the door...Mr. Johnny would curse, tell him to leave, and try to walk off. But Mr. Johnny... you don't fool us! Haha!
Also... I would have to say my second favorite thing is I think there may have been people that worked at the restaurant and bars they he never knew their names. Truthfully. Its ok though...we still love you!
Sam- Although, I haven't experienced drinking the pirate's whiskey with Mr. Johnny myself, I have been woke up several times (right before daylight) with Mr. Johnny bringing Jeremy home...Jeremy stumbling in and wanting to tell me about his night with Mr. Johnny...pirate's whiskey was always somewhere in the story. lol Jeremy tells everyone that he loves Mr. Johnny like his own dad.I know that a lot of people feel that way. Mr. Johnny holds a special place in our hearts and my little girl, Izzie, loves him too! I mean, how could you not love the man that gives you free ice-cream to take home. Mr. Johnny will pull through this...he is the spirit of Natchitoches and the main reason people keep coming back, or in our case won't leave. He is a special person to us all, especially to my family! We love you, Mr. Johnny!
Christi Antee
I feel this fundraising effort will demonstrate the miracle of the principle "you reap what you sow."
The Antoons have sewn so many seeds throughout the years; and for even me--who was not a Natchitoche native, an Antoon employee, etc.--I was touched. I saw the good that was offered to so many of my friends that it left a lasting impression! So I guess I was "a seed sewn via pollination"!
Either way--it's apparent from the love shown here that your harvest will be plentiful!
Much love, much appreciation, and much prayer for healing and strength...
Jenny Alewyne Reynolds
While in Natchitoches for Christmas Festival 2009, I celebrated my birthday at Antoon's. My friend,Joanna Allison,introduced our table to you(Mr. Johnny). You were such a sweetheart and offered to buy us a round of drinks,in honor of my birthday. The food was wonderful and only rivaled by the festive, fun atmosphere.I look forward to spending my birthday with you this year and this time I'll buy you a drink! I'll by praying for you to have a painless and speedy recovery. See you in December!
Gayle Campbell
Midlothian,TX
Mr. Johnny,
Since the day Tate introduced me to you I knew I would do anything for you. You have done so many things for Tate and I to help us through the hardest times so I hope you know you deserve best. I can only hope we can give back to you.
Thanks for the memories that will last a lifetime.
Cade Strong
The man was like a father to me. I remember sitting out on the back patio of Antoon’s after a busy night in the weeds smoking Winstons (don't tell Merle) with Mr. Johnny contemplating life. I look back on those days now wishing they would have dragged on just a little bit longer....
P.S.
Can anyone else remember getting paid in beer?...
Manny-YES, I remember getting rewarded with beer...haha! I must say that my absolute favorite memory of Big John is working at Antoons and actually leaving him speechless! Big John used to always tell me that I needed to act more like a lady and that he was going to put dresses on me and ribbons in my hair so one day I showed up at work just that way! He walked in (busy as a bee as usual) and didn't even notice until he got behind the bar and then busted out laughing. He didn't know what to say so he told me that I looked nice and he was so proud. Needless to say, that still didn't make me a lady as he came to find out when the chip man showed up late! I love you so much Big John and thank you for everything you have done for me. You are in my prayers as always!
My experiences during college would have never been the same without Mr. Johnny. There were countless times he let me cash post dated checks which truly got me through until money from Mom came! The man has one of the biggest hearts I have ever known!
Colleen Timmons
My god, I forgot all about the F#^*%#} keys! ... Johnny would come into antoon's for "a minute", and 5 hours later the van would still be running outside while he looked for the keys...
He has touched numerous lives. I have never been more proud to call him dad. I was so overwhelmed with all of this but his strong will and optimism let me know very quickly that he would overcome this. Seeing how many people's lives he has touched over the years gives me chill bumpts. I'm so proud to have him as my "Daddy." Love you dad.
Just wanted to let you know that we are thinking and praying for you. When I heard the news I got out on every piece of media I could to inform everyone.
May our Lord and Savior bring you comfort and strength. May he watch over you and your family and may his never ending love bring you closer to a full recovery and health.
John A. Manno, Jr.
Johnny,
Sure sorry to hear you are ill. Can't thank you enough for all you have done for me and so many others.
I will keep you and the family in my prayers.
Jack Serpas
My memories of Mr. Johnny are many from my younger years when my dad would bring me to Antoon's to buy himself a beer and visit with the card sharks playing poker or shooting pool. My younger brother and I never made it past the dog he had walking around indoors. Mr Johnny always made anyone welcome inside Antoon's ~ young, old, age didn't matter much to him. He greeted anyone with a warm smile or a funny joke.
Then when video poker machines got voted in Natchitoches and invested part ownership (just kidding) is when I really got to know Mr. Johnny better and appreciate him for the kind of precious person he is today! I remember on one occassion while investing much of my earnings in one of those machines an older gentleman was pretty toasted and began getting loud and out of line with me and Mr. Johnny quickly acted on it and made him leave.
Mr. Johnny ~ you are loved by so many people. You are covered in prayers. You can and will make it through this time.
Thanks for all you are,
Tona Fair Ford
When I Speak Your Name In Prayer
I’d like to sit you down and tell you everything’s okay
And have the strength enough to pull you through another day
I’d like to help you to believe that this will be all right
And that you will not have to spend another sleepless night
Id like to hold your hand and wipe the teardrops from your eyes
And help you just to sort things out while you question why
I’d like to try and lift the load and carry it for you
And truly help you understand just what you’re going through
I’d like to have the words to make this trouble disappear
And give you peace of mind so you won’t shed another tear
I’d like to have the magic touch to take away your pain
And help you see the blue sky just beyond this blinding rain
But sometimes what we say or do just cannot be enough
To ease another’s passage through a trail so dark and rough
There is one thing I know will help much more than I can say
And rest assured that I will do it when I kneel and pray
I will take your name before the Father as I seek His face
And ask Him to enfold you in His arms of warm embrace
There’s no one who can comfort you quite like the Father can
And surely carry you across this dark and frightening span
Although I dearly care for you and want to help so much
I know that what you really need is in the Father’s touch
So, I will take you to the throne and leave you in his care
I know He will deliver, when I speak your name in prayer
Johnny yoou get better buddy. If you come to Dallas for test or whatever I will have ED "TOO TALL " JONES come by and take a picture with both of you in your hospital gown and black socks I love you . BABY LYNN
Mr. Johnny, it's me. Anthony Moore. You know, now that I think about it I don't think I've ever come to Antoon's without you stopping that busy shuffle, looking me in the eye, and greeting me by name asking how's all. You are indeed a friend, dare I say family. The stories you used to tell me about my grandpa brought us that much closer. I always cherished our talks. I can't wait to talk with you again.
With Love and Admiration,
Anthony
Working for Mr. Johnny has been an honor. I not only feel like an employee but i feel like part of a family. Not only has Mr.Johnny been a wonderful boss, he has also been like a dad. Giving me any kind of advice I may need. He has inspired me to keep up the good work and not give up. He also convinced me to join Phi Mu! It has been one of the best decisions of my life. Mr.Johnny is a wonderful man in everyway with the biggest heart.Mr.Johnny you and your family is in my prayers every single day! I love you!
*De'Anne Garlington*
I only saw one name that I recognize in this blog. Not surprised, it's been a long time since I worked for Johnny, pushing 30 years. He still is taken care of his kids, which I knew he would. Too many stories to try to put on this blog - from Budweiser All-stars to sitting down at the Keg after graduation going "Oh Shit what the hell do I do now. Johnny was a special part of my life. I grew up with Johnny helping show me the way.
Danielle, you probably don't remember, but when you were about 9 years old, I came to Natchitoches and your Dad put me up in your room. Michael was about 14 or so. I would and will do anything for your dad.
Johnny, I'll be up there soon. Hey, Merle.
Luv ya both and see ya soon
Tommy
Johnny and Merle,
I love you dearly and always come by to eat when Brad and I are in town. You are a wonderful couple and together with prayers, faith and medicene you will fight this!! My best memory was after dating Merle (for way too long) you 2 decided to elope. I was working at the clerk of courts office for the summer and one of my jobs was typing marriage license applications (using carbon paper for 3 copies). You came in and when I asked you how I could help him you told me, I was so excited for you and Merle. While I was typing and using a bottle of liquid paper in the process you BEGGED me not to tell anyone since all of your workers would find out and your car would be SO decorated. I promised not to tell until you had left town and then quickly told as many Tri Sigmas as I could find. We love you, take care of yourself and your family. Connie Friday Davis
Hi Mr. Johnny--it's Marissa Guidry's Mom(winner of the Bud Light Party Cruise). I've heard so many stories about you over the years, but I think my favorite one is that you refuse to get the gas gauge fixed on the van. One day you run out of gas and don't think that is the reason, so you have the van towed. For the price of towing you could have had the gauge fixed.HaHa! Bet the gauge still doesn't work!Thanks for all the work experience you gave my daughter. You'll always be a contributor to her great character and work ethic.Also, she wouldn't have won that cruise if she hadn't worked for you and I wouldn't have gotten to go!!!
Oh, I forgot--Where else can you bring your dog to work with you??
Well the Johnny Cab does have a new gas gauge when the whole fuel system went out. Poor man- I begged him to get it fixed for years- but if he had we wouldn't have all of these wonderful stories. Thanks for all of your notes. They are priceless to our family.===merle
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