Golden M. Johnson, Jr

Golden M. Johnson Jr., 86, passed away Sunday, December 14, 2008, at Indian Path Medical Center after an extended illness.

He was born January 2, 1922, to Golden M. Johnson Sr. and Helen Ketron Johnson. He retired from Johnson-Hilliard, Inc. and also owned a construction company. Golden was a person who never shied away from hard work.

He was a combat veteran of World War II having served as infantryman in the U. S. Army.
He fought in numerous campaigns across Europe including The Battle of the Bulge. Golden was proud of speaking to General Patton several times. He was a member of Kingsport Masonic Temple.

Preceding him in death were his first wife, Ruth Mullins Johnson; his son, James Leon Johnson; and his second wife, Lucille Jackson Johnson.

Surviving are his three daughters, Donna Mildred Zarlengo and husband Don of Struthers, Ohio, Phyllis A. Morrell of Boardman, Ohio, Lucy Brickey and husband Will of Tampa, Florida; four sons, Mitchell Johnson and wife Jeretta, Randy Johnson, Ronnie Johnson, Jason Johnson and wife Lisa, all of Kingsport; eighteen grandchildren; twenty-four great-grandchildren; and one brother, Denver Johnson of Kingsport.

The family will receive friends from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Tuesday at Hamlett-Dobson Funeral Homes, Kingsport.

Funeral services will be conducted at 11:00 a.m. Wednesday at Hermon United Methodist Church with Rev. Shannon Powers and Steven Johnson officiating and singing by Tommy Browder. Burial will follow at Hermon United Methodist Church Cemetery with military rites by Charles DeWitt Byrd Post #3382 of the VFW. Family members and friends will serve as pallbearers.