Edward Emil Johnson Obituary
Edward E Johnson
3/16/1935 – 11/11/2021
Edward Emil Johnson, 86, of Fairmount, Texas passed away on Thursday, November 11, 2021.
Edward was born in Howard County, Nebraska on March 16, 1935, to Emil Gerhardt Johnson and Violet Irene Haggstrom Johnson. At age 3, the family moved to Sheridan and later to Newark, Illinois, where Ed graduated in 1953 from Newark High School.
A month after graduation, Ed and his father Emil drove to Ottawa, Illinois, where Ed was inducted into the US Army serving as a SP5 in the Korean Conflict from 1953 to 1956. After returning, Ed further served his country with the Central Intelligence Agency in Washington DC, and later, on his parent’s farm, and at Western Electric in Montgomery, Illinois.
Ed became a home building contractor, first with Roy Martin Contractors, Jim Downs Construction, Patterman & Johnson, later, on his own as a builder/realtor wherein he built many affordable homes in Aurora, Illinois. After an injury, he joined, worked, and retired in 1989 from the FAA as an Air Traffic Controller at the Aurora Illinois Center. He earned many accommodations for his service for his country in this capacity.
After retiring, Ed and his late wife Jane spent several years traveling in their Pace Arrow and houseboat. Later, they retired to Texas to fish.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife of 55 years, Laurel Jane Davis Johnson, and his brothers Vern Lee and Orville LaVerne Johnson.
He is survived by his wife Catherine (Whiddon) Johnson, and his children: Sandi (Sam Bowling), Dawn, LeeAnne (Tim Sims), Joy (Mark Richmond), Eric (Rosa) Johnson, and Susan (Oval Royse). Also surviving, his brother Gordon D. Johnson, and 23 grandchildren, 25 great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandchild-plus many beloved nieces, nephews, and friends.
Ed was a member of Future Farmers of America, 4H, The Masons, Moose Lodge, Lion’s Club, VFW, Knollwood Newark Sportsmen’s Clubs, Personal ministry, and gospel to the residents at Hemphill Nursing Center, as well as Hemphill Senior Center, and his voluntary services with Bill Glass Prison Ministries.
Ed will be remembered by many for his wisdom, his great sense of humor, his love of music and his dedication to his country and to God.
A celebration of Ed’s life will be held at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday, November 20, 2021, at the Fairdale Baptist Church Sanctuary, followed by a celebration at the Family Life Center; and later everyone is invited to the Fin and Feather Banquet Hall at Six-Mile for fellowship and a meal.
Military burial and honors will take place Veteran’s Memorial Cemetery in Houston later.
Cremation arrangements were handled by Starr Funeral Home.
The family requests those who wish to express sympathy please donate to their favorite charity in the name Edward E. Johnson.
Condolences can be made, and the guest book may be signed online at starrfuneralhome.com.
