John Thomas ‘Johnny’ Johnson, 86, of Arnold
John Thomas “Johnny” Johnson, 86, of Arnold died Jan. 11, 2022, at Mercy Hospital South in St. Louis County. Mr. Johnson served in the U.S. Navy from 1953-1957 as a corpsman and physical therapist and was stationed at Navy bases in Mare Island, Calif., and Charleston, S.C. He was honorably discharged and received the National Defense and Good Conduct medals. He earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Missouri-St. Louis in 1972 and worked as a pharmaceutical salesman in the St. Louis area for 35 years. He was a member of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Arnold and the Knights of Columbus Council 6018. He previously served on the board of Birthright of Hillsboro and attended the March for Life in D.C. and wrote many articles about pro-life issues. He also was a St. Louis Cardinals fan and loved to barbecue for family cookouts. He was an avid hunter and fisherman, and he and his wife enjoyed traveling and family vacations. He volunteered as a coach and umpire for Little League baseball and high school sports. He was the son of the late Luther and Veronica Johnson in Caruthersville.
He is survived by his wife of 35 years: Eleanor; five children: Terri (Tim) Wolk, Sandi (Mike) Timmons, John Johnson, Michael (Peggy) Nice and Debbie (Mike) Redd; 11 grandchildren: Parker (Tara) Timmons, Emily (Justin) Lamar, Paige (Chuck) Lauder, Alex (Brianna) Wolk, Meghan Redd, Michael Nice, Drake Johnson, Madison Johnson, Abby Nice, Andrew Nice and Madelyn Redd; seven great-grandchildren: Alayna, McKenna, Alexa, Annalee, Rylee, Vera, Louis and another great-grandchild on the way; seven siblings: Margaret (Earl) Coppage, Paul, Agnes (Les Sides) Cobb, Mike (Trudy), Pat (Mary Ann), Chris (Wannie) and Gerry Wayne; two sisters-in-law: Barbara and Dotty; and many other family members and friends.
He was preceded in death by an infant brother: Francis; two other brothers: Richard and Joe; a sister: Gertie (Wayne); a brother-in-law: Jerry; a sister-in-law: Martha; and a niece: Ginny.
A visitation will be from 9 a.m. until the funeral Mass at 10 a.m. Friday (March 18) at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, 2300 Church Road, in Arnold. Burial will follow in the National Cemetery at Jefferson Barracks. Memorials may be made to Masses, to St. Vincent de Paul Society or to the charity of your choice. Arrangements are under the direction of Kutis South County Chapel in St. Louis County.