Mr. Leon Johnson
September 5, 1953 – July 11, 2019
A TIME TO BE BORN…
Leon Johnson was born on September 5, 1953 in Dawson, Georgia to the late Connell Johnson and Mamie Wills Johnson. Preceding him in death, his brothers; John Moon and Frazier Moon, and sister, Louise Johnson.
A TIME TO LIVE AND LEARN…
Leon began his education at Lillie Cooper Elementary School and Terrell County High School in Dawson, Georgia. After high school, he attended Albany State University. He later enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1972 and retired in 1993 after almost 21 years of service. During his military career, Leon was stationed in locations throughout the world such as Worms, Germany with principal duties as a Team Leader and Assistant Operations Sergeant in Company B 2nd Battalion, 13th Infantry; Training NCO at Ft. Dix, New Jersey; Army Recruiter at the Seattle Recruiting Command with duties in Bremerton, Washington; Platoon Sergeant with the 502D Infantry at Ft. Campbell, KY where he was sent to the Sinai peninsula for 6 months with The Multinational Force and Observers (MFO), an eleven nation peacekeeping organization which was a part of the Camp David Accord between Egypt and Israel; Operations Sergeant at HQ USA FORSCOM at Ft. McPherson, GA; Operations NCO and Sergeant in the Republic of Korea; First Sergeant with Co. A 2/11th Infantry TSB at Ft. Benning, GA and ended his military career as an Operations Sergeant for Company B, 1/11th Infantry TSB at Ft. Benning, GA.
Leon was also a member of the Hamma Hamma Masonic Lodge #35 in Bremerton, Washington.
A TIME TO CAST AWAY STONES…
Leon joined Sardis Baptist Church at an early age. He was a man of faith.
A TIME FOR PEACE AND REFLECTIONS…
On July 11, 2019, Leon made a peaceful transition to his new home to be with the Lord.
Leon had a love for all things mechanical, especially classic vintage cars, particularly 1969 Camaros. One of the most notable times that he demonstrated his mechanical abilities was when driving from Washington state to Alabama with his wife and firstborn child. There was a problem with the fuel pump on the 1971 Volkswagen in the middle of nowhere, with no help in sight. Leon, being the ultimate fixer upper, repaired the fuel pump by using a ballpoint pen, which worked well all the way to Alabama.
It was to the amazement of his family that he was able to repair just about anything around the house. No matter how big or small the problem was, he often found a way to fix it.
Leon leaves to cherish his memories: his loving wife of 40 years, Abbie Coleman Johnson; two sons, Jamie Johnson (Shawn Dale-Johnson) of Birmingham, AL and Julian Johnson (Stephanie Tyler Johnson) of Huntsville, AL; two sisters, Mary L. Johnson Manning (Joe) of Atlanta, GA and Catherine Johnson Watts of Albany, GA; and a host of nieces and nephews.
Funeral service will be 1:00 p.m., Thursday, July 18, 2019 at Union Chapel Missionary Baptist Church (315 Winchester Road Huntsville, AL 35811) with Bishop Calvin Boone officiating. Interment will be in the Valhalla Memory Gardens. Mr. Johnson will lie in repose one hour prior to funeral time.
Public viewing for Mr. Johnson will be held from 1:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m., Wednesday, July 17, 2019 and 8:30 a.m. until 11:00 a.m., Thursday, July 18, 2019 at the Royal Funeral Home.
