John Phillip Wells, Jr., passed away on January 4, 2026 at Baptist Health in Paducah, Kentucky. He was 74 years old and is deeply missed by his family and friends.
John was born on February 23, 1951, in Metropolis, Illinois, to Phillip and Lawanda Wells. The eldest of three children, he was raised on the family farm in the Round Knob area of Massac County, where he developed a strong work ethic and a deep connection to his roots.
He attended Metropolis Community High School, graduating in 1969, and later studied at Shawnee Community College. After college, John married Sherry Smith (deceased). The couple lived for a time in Dyersburg, Tennessee, where John worked for the Kroger Company, before returning to Metropolis. There, he worked at IGA, and together they began their family. John and Sherry shared more than 20 years of marriage and raised two daughters, Amy and Laura.
In 1977, John began his career at the Paducah Gaseous Diffusion Plant, where he worked until his retirement in 2014. Beyond his career, John was proud to serve his community as a substitute school bus driver and a volunteer firefighter.
In 1995, John married Lesia Noles of Paducah. John was head over heels for Lesia, and the two shared 30 loving years together. Her sudden passing just five months ago was a profound loss to him, and he missed her dearly.
John is survived by his daughters, Amy Lynn Henson of Metropolis (husband Ronnie) and Laura Grace Aello of Murfreesboro, Tennessee (husband Ben); his four grandsons, Nico, Mateo, Cristian, and Lucas Aello; his brother, Carl Wells; his sister, Deborah Blagg; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and his beloved wife, Lesia.
Public visitation will be held on January 12, 2026, at 12:00 p.m., followed by a service at 1:00 p.m. at Milner & Orr Funeral Home of Paducah. John will be laid to rest beside Lesia at Woodlawn Memorial Gardens.
John will be deeply missed and forever remembered by all who knew and loved him.
“Oh give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; for His steadfast love endures forever.”
- Psalm 118:29
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