Johnny Edwin Wallis, Springfield

Johnny Wallis, born July 10, 1935, in Springfield, was a third generation dairy farmer and Guernsey breeder. He married Monya Louise Martin Nov. 7, 1954, and they had three daughters – Debbie, Gayle, and Margaret. Debbie’s sons, John and Jason Sims, are following in their grandfather’s footsteps, as the fifth generation of the family in the business of producing milk and successfully breeding and showing registered Guernseys.

The Wallis family bottled and sold milk from the family farm for more than 20 years before they began selling to a bottler. Johnny emphasized breeding for fancy cows that would work.

He believed that the test of a successful breeding program was the ability to produce animals that stood out in the milk parlor and the show ring. Johnny’s home-bred Guernseys were successful in the show ring bringing home numerous All-American awards and nominations as well as All-Missouri titles.

“Anyone can buy a winner but it takes a lot of effort to raise a winner,” he often said.

Johnny was a leader in the Missouri Guernsey Cattle Breeders Association, serving in nearly every office at one time or another. When he was not serving as an officer, Johnny was an active, concerned member.

He was an advocate of the Missouri Junior Guernsey Breeders. Even before his own daughters were born, he was active in 4-H and served 45 years as a dairy project leader. He helped many juniors get started with good foundation heifers. It was typical for Johnny to spend the day before a show coaching novice showers in fitting and show-ring techniques. At times his coaching was to his detriment ­ coached owners sometimes placed higher than his entries. In addition, he was a dairy cattle judge at many local shows and fairs.

The Missouri Guernsey producer took an active role in promoting the breed and dairy farming to the community. The Wallis farm hosted tours, provided classes for judging contests, and served as a training ground for 4-H, FFA, and collegiate judging teams.

Johnny was a member of the Dale Street United Methodist Church in Springfield; served on the Ozark Empire Fair Board; was a PTA member at schools in Pleasant Hope and Springfield; and sponsored a boys baseball team at Pleasant Hope.

Johnny died Aug. 22, 1997. Although he is gone his positive influence and solid beliefs remain.