Johnny Huntsman the legendary founder of the popular pizza chain Johnny's Pizza has passed away at the age of 77. Johnny had been selling pizzas for over 50 years! Huntsman started Johnny's Pizza back in 1967 across from University of Louisiana at Monroe but had learned how to make a great pizza back when he was in college in Iowa. He had said in interviews he had never even seen pizza until going to college.

Huntsman is survived by his wife Sharon and children John Huntsman Jr., Marian Archibald and Heather Huntsman and he was preceded in death by daughter Lacey Huntsman. The funeral is scheduled at 2 p.m. Friday at First Baptist Church of Oak Grove under direction of Cox Funeral Home.

Johnny received the Small Business Person of the Year in Louisiana in 1992 and earned a ULM Lifetime Achievement Award in 2006.

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