In Loving Memory of Johnnie Wesley Cuba
February 27, 1929 – June 9, 2025 Johnnie Wesley Cuba passed away at his home in North Las Vegas, Nevada, on June 9, 2025 at the age of 96. Johnnie was a beloved husband, father, uncle, bonus grandparent, and friend, whose kindness, wisdom, dry humor and unwavering strength touched the lives of everyone fortunate enough to know him.
Born on February 27, 1929 to John and Rosie (Darilek) Cuba in Megargel, Texas, Johnnie was one of twelve children who grew up on the family farm, where hard work, honesty and integrity were characteristics
See Johnnie W on Page 5 instilled at a very young age. He married Johnnie Dell Dunagan on January 10, 1953. They started their life together in Archer City, Texas and were known by their friends as “He-Johnnie” and “She-Johnnie.”
At the time of his death, he was survived by his wife of 72 years, Johnnie Dell Cuba, and his only daughter, Kaye Cuba and her loving partner, Brian Towers, who was like a son to him, all of Las Vegas, Nevada. He is also survived by two sisters: Frances Quinlan (Pete), Georgia Hall, and one brother, Henry Cuba, and numerous nieces and nephews who loved their “Uncle Johnnie.”
Johnnie’s love extended beyond his immediate family, touching the lives of their dear friends and former neighbors who became family, Georgianna Greenway and Rodney (who preceded him in death) and their children, Brad Greenway and Kimberly Greenway Box (Brandon), who honored him with the name “Papa” and forever will carry his wisdom and kindness forward.
He was preceded in death by his parents; four sisters - Lydia Cuba, Angeline Hajek, Rose Cuba and Mary Musil; and four brothers - O. J. Cuba, Joe Cuba, Stanley Cuba and Jim Cuba.
Johnnie graduated from Megargel High School in 1947 where he played football. Shortly after that he began a career as a businessman, managing Shamburger Lumber Company in Archer City, Texas for 24 years. In 1973, he was promoted and transferred to Waxahachie, TX to manage a larger store for Shamburger, National Building Center. In 1975, he returned “home” to Olney, Texas, to be near family and to continue his true passion of farming and raising cattle, forming the partnership, Averett & Cuba Lumber. While in Archer City, he was active in the community serving on the City Council and on the Volunteer Fire Department. In Olney, he was an active member of the Olney Lions Club, elected to serve on the Young County Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation Service (ASCS) Committee first as a member, then Vice Chair and then Chairman, and served on the St. Theresa’s Catholic Church Parish Council for many years. He was also a First Degree Member of the Knights of Columbus. Johnnie loved to cook his entire life. He enjoyed having cookouts at the farm with his brothers and nephews, cooking for family reunions, and finally instructing his caregivers on how to cook his favorite meals.
In 2004, the Johnnies moved to Las Vegas, to be near Kaye and Brian. He loved going to the casino, and winning a few pennies “all in one lick.” Most people knew him to always have a cigar in his mouth, but he never lit it….just chewed on what he referred to as his “pacifier.” He missed Texas and his family tremendously, and always enjoyed when friends and relatives came to town. They always appreciated the efforts made to visit with them.