John L. Varnes Jr., 61, of Rush, Ky., passed away with his wife Jan and brother Danny by his side, Tues., Sept. 25, 2018 in Kings Daughters Medical Center in Ashland, Kentucky.

John was born Feb. 8, 1957 to the late John L Varnes Sr. and Thelma Mary Shultz. He was also preceded in death by a sister, Jacqueline Varnes; niece Elizabeth Stacy Farrar; and great nephew Ian.

John was a member of the NRA, the Army Reserves, and retired as maintenance supervisor with Senior Housing Options in Colorado. He was passionate for music and an accomplished guitarist. Johnny enjoyed fishing and was an exceptional handy man, a loving husband, caring nurturing father, and true family man.

He is survived by his soulmate wife, Janet Curry Varnes of Rush, Ky., their loving son; Peter Nordstrom of Denver, Colorado; his brothers, Robert (Judy) Varnes of Surprise, Arizona; Steven Varnes and Jennifer Jenson of New York (Brian and Michael), Daniel Varnes (Tiffany (Cael)) fiancee Pam Chapman of Huntington, West Virginia; James (Tami) Varnes of California (Christopher (Audrey, McKenzie, Presley), Ashley (Parker)); and Terrance Michael Donahue of California (James, Sean); his sister Noreen Donahue (Gordon) Soucy of Nova Scotia, Canada (Timothy (Renee), Corey, Alexander, Nikolas); step-mother Joyce Varnes, Texas; and many friends and extended family, including members of the Curry family; Sally and Brent, John and Marie, Uncle Rick (deceased) and Aunt Rita, Tom, and all of their children. A memorial visitation will be held from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. with a service to follow on Sat., Sept. 29, 2018 at Music Family Funeral Home in Greenup, Ky. 'It is during our darkest moments that we must focus to see the light' Aristotle.