George Johnson Sr.

George Johnson was born in Colquitt, Georgia on January 12, 1945. His early elementary years began in Panama City, Florida. Where he completed his education at the Richard L. Brown Elementary School located in Duval County (Jacksonville, Florida). George developed a love of watching and playing sports with aspirations to play in the National Basketball Association (NBA). George departed this life on Sunday, April 26, 2020 at East Orange General Hospital (East Orange, NJ). He was preceded by his mother Bertha L. Johnson, father Lonzie Johnson, wife Reba Johnson, son Gregg Johnson and nine siblings. George became a two-letter sportsman under the guidance of Coach Kitchings while playing basketball with the opportunity to travel to various Florida & southern cities. Then he attended Edward Waters College (HBCU) in Jacksonville, Florida, where he earned accolades in sports and a bachelor’s degree in Special Education. He also became member of Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity while in college. After graduation, George began teaching Special Education to students with special needs. George relocated to Paterson, New Jersey where he taught Physical Education at Elementary School #26. He also played recreational basketball with a Paterson, NJ city league. His fondness for working with people with disabilities led him to also pursue work at an East Orange home for adults with disabilities. He would often bring his clients to our family events such as the annual BLJ clan family BBQ, crab boils, and Memorial Day events. George spent his retirement years beautifying the lawns of family and friends around “Doddtown” in East Orange, New Jersey. George leaves to cherish his memory; one son-George Johnson Jr. (Karen)/(Savannah, Georgia); one daughter-Tracy Johnson (Jacksonville, Florida); one grandson-Octavious Q. Johnson (Gabbie)/(Kissimmee, Florida); four granddaughters-Jasmine Johnson (Savannah, Georgia), Jada Johnson (Savannah, Georgia), Nehtia Fredrick (Jacksonville, Florida), and LaNiya Fredrick (Jacksonville, Florida); three great grandchildren-Octavious Q. Johnson, Taylor C. Johnson, and Zion Robinson (Kissimmee, Florida); five sisters-Grace Johnson (Paterson, New Jersey), Hattie R. Johnson (East Orange, New Jersey), Willie Mae Johnson (Richmond Virginia), Evangelist Mary L. Medlock (Garfield, New Jersey) and Gloria D. Louis (Jacksonville, Florida); three aunts Sallie Benton (Panama City, Florida), Mary Johnson (Panama City, Florida), and Judy Jones (Albany, Georgia); a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and loving friends. Educator, great grandfather, grandfather, father, brother, cousin, “Uncle Sonny”, Uncle George, “Big Foot Mason”, friend, confidant, and true disciplinarian to his nieces and nephews; George Johnson will be remembered for his many jokes to make you smile, the scary childhood stories he told us as siblings, weekly phone calls spreading love or learned thoughts after a deep discussion with. God bless your Legacy.

George Johnson Sr.

January 12, 1945 - April 26, 2020