Johnny Bernell McRaney, Jr., 76, passed away on January 6, 2015 at Baptist Memorial Hospital in Columbus, MS. Visitation will be held at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, 2808 Ridge Rd, Columbus, MS, 39705, Friday, January 9, 2015 from 6 to 8pm. A Funeral Service will be held at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, Saturday, January 10, 2015 at 10 AM. Graveside services with Military Honors will be at the Hillcrest Cemetery, Petal, MS, Saturday at 3 pm with Lowndes Funeral Home Columbus, MS directing. He was born on January 16, 1938 in Covington County, MS to the late Johnny Bernell McRaney, SR. and Vondell Ann (McQueen) McRaney.John grew up in Covington County, Pascagoula, and Hattiesburg/Petal, MS. He graduated from Petal High School in Petal, MS in 1956. John married Edna Kate (Long) in 1957 in Petal, MS. They were happily married for 57 years in December. After high school he attended Mississippi State University in Starkville, MS where he studied Civil Engineering. He received his MBA from Ole Miss in Oxford, MS.He joined the Mississippi Army National Guard at the age of 17 and served for over 35 years. He served in the Rank of Colonel as Brigade Commander of the 155th Armored Brigade, Detachment 1, 1st Cavalry Division, Mississippi Army National Guard, Tupelo, MS from March 1, 1987 to October 1, 1989 and was the recipient of the Meritorious Service Medal and the Mississippi Magnolia Cross. He retired in the rank of Colonel. He began work for Weyerhaeuser Company, where he continued employment and retired after 36 years. He was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. He enjoyed genealogy, reading, traveling, his family and studying Military history. He also graduated from the US Army War College in 1986. In addition to his parents John was preceded in death by his Brother - James Madison McRaney and daughter-in-law - Cherie McRaney. John is survived by his spouse Edna of Columbus, MS; his sons, Jon Michael (Yvette) McRaney of Taft, TN and David Martin (Cherie - deceased) McRaney of Columbus, MS. His 13 grandchildren to include Rachael Udy, Becki Udy, Heather Udy, Danielle (Pool) Jean, Jaimi Pool, Jimmy Pool, Dalton Pool, Josh DeRosia, Tiffany Bowen, Brianna DeRosia, Sariah DeRosia, Katie McRaney, & Eveyaunce Sokolowski; His great-grandchildren; Jayson, Shannon, and Bryant; and his niece Pam (Blackledge) Tapp and nephew Rick Blackledge and other relatives. In lieu of flowers the family requests memorial donations be made to LDS Perpetual Education Fund, Website: give.ldsp.org/memoriam, Phone: 801-422-4444.