John Michael Youngblood

John Michael Youngblood (John John) was born October 2, 1981, in Longview, Texas, and passed away on December 15, 2025, at home in Gilmer, Texas surrounded by his loved ones.

 John John was known for his generosity and his ability to connect with people. He built friendships that would last a lifetime. He spent his life overcoming his physical handicap and proving that there was nothing he could not do. He lived an amazing life rich with experiences that most could only dream of and few ever get to live. He has been an inspiration to many. 

John John was a proud graduate of Gilmer High School as part of the class of 2000. He played a significant role in both band and the football program. John John was band president his senior year and a member of the varsity football team for 3 years, 1997-1999, where he served as team captain his senior year. His jersey number 88 was retired by the Buckeyes in his honor. 

John John served as a volunteer member of the Gilmer Fire Department and worked as a dispatcher for the Upshur County Sheriff's Office.

 He began working for country music artist Neal McCoy in 2009 and continued to 2019. John John managed Neal’s merchandise and frequently joined onstage performances as a percussionist. John John’s time with Neal included performances all across the lower 48 states as well as Canada. His amazing personality led him to make friends and develop relationships from coast to coast which included music artists, actors, politicians, and business owners. These included notable names such as Blake Shelton, Jack Hanna, Tanya Tucker, Charlene Tilton, Wayne Newton, and John P. McConnell as well as many many others. 

John John realized the culmination of his dreams when he joined the front office staff of the Dallas Cowboys in 2019 as Luxury Transportation Logistics Coordinator. He said so often that he found a home as a member of the Dallas Cowboys Football Club and that he wanted to remain a part of the organization for the rest of his life. 

John John is survived by his father, Dennis Youngblood of Gilmer; mother, Becky Skinner and husband Wayne of Gilmer; sister, Amber Hendrix and husband Shane of Gilmer; grandmother Marcelene Clemens of Gilmer; niece and nephews, Baylee Youngblood, Riley Hendrix, Landon Hendrix, and Hudson Mays; as well as many aunts, uncles, and cousins.

 Visitation services for John John will be held on Saturday, December 20, 2025, at the First Baptist Church in Gilmer, Texas. Friends and family are invited to pay their respects starting at 10:00 AM, with the visitation lasting until 11:00 AM. Following the visitation, a funeral service will take place at the same location, beginning at 11:00 AM. Interment to follow at Sunset Memorial Park Cemetery in Gilmer. 

Pallbearers will be Corey Threadgill, Aaron Loyd, Daniel White, Shannon Gross, Gary ‘Rose’ Persinger, Marc Nichols, and Billy Joe Williams. Jimmy Clifton and Mike Mullins will serve as honorary pallbearers. 

The family invites you to honor John John’s love for the Dallas Cowboys by wearing your favorite Dallas Cowboys attire if you wish.

 Over time, John John’s faith in our Lord Jesus continued to grow and mature into a calm reassurance of hope. He frequently expressed his desire for his family to join him in the Kingdom of God and he sought and received assurance from each one of them that they had accepted Christ and knew that they were redeemed by His sacrifice on the Cross.