" ... John and Ruby met in October, 1936, at the home of Eva ‏(Loofbourrow)‏ Hockaday on South Pine Street in Guthrie, Oklahoma, where Ruby was having a guitar lesson. Although Ruby never learned to tune the guitar, she apparently managed to tug at the heart strings of Eva's brother, John, who graciously offered Ruby a ride home in his 1936 Nash sedan. The following weekend Ruby and John went to Kingfisher, Oklahoma on a picnic. When he brought her home to her brother Dick's house, Johnnie proposed ... after one date Cupid shot his arrow ... she liked him and agreed that if after a year of corresponding he still felt the same way, she would marry him. Johnnie, as Ruby called him, went back to California the following morning. Many letters later ... after about six months had passed, Ruby got a letter from him and he asked her if he came to Oklahoma would she marry him or would she make him go back to California until ... the six months were up. Ruby answered that she wouldn't make him go home but since they were apart they would wait .... His next letter to her said he was on his way to Oklahoma!

When Johnnie arrived in his brand new 1937 Willys, Ruby gave three days notice to the parents of the little boys she was babysitting, and Johnnie took her to Oklahoma City to buy her wedding dress. She told her Mom and Dad Saturday morning that she and Johnnie were getting married that night ‏(17 Apr 1937)‏ in Guthrie and leaving on their honeymoon for their new home in California. Johnnie promised to bring her back to Oklahoma to visit every year ... ‏[which, he did faithfully through the years]‏.

Johnnie and Ruby arrived at their home at 1398 W. Grand Ave. ‏(next door to Johnnie's parents)‏ in Pomona and began their new life together as Mr. and Mrs. Loofbourrow. Little Marvin Leonard arrived 13 months later; Melvin Eugene followed him in 17 months; and Linda Sue arrived 6 years later ...."