Roy W. Johnson, Sr.'s Obituary
Roy Wilfred Johnson, Sr. passed away on Sunday, August 27, 2017 in Covington, LA. He was born in Natalbany, LA on Thursday, September 6, 1928 to Vyrena Lanier and Henry Johnson and has been a resident of Covington for over 50 years.
The beloved husband of the late Amelia Irene Bignar Johnson, he is survived by four children - Hank and Gordon Johnson, Mark and his wife Karen Johnson and Tami Johnson; four grandsons - Mark, Jr. (Rachel), Kramer (Hayley), Evan and Nicholas; and three great granddaughters - Madeleine, Emery Amelia and Cameron. His brother - Edgar Johnson precedes him in death.
After serving in the Marine Corp, he began work in 1952 at the Coca-Cola Bottling Co. in Baton Rouge. In 1965 he was hired as the general manager of the Zetz 7up Company in Covington, remaining there until retiring in 1981. He then founded Johnson Portable Buildings.
He was active in the Covington Rotary Club, a member of the Krewe of Olympia where he reigned as Zeus in 1985, and travelled the country with his wife, Irene, in their RV for years. At 65, he motorcycled to Daytona Beach. He delighted parade-goers with his clown-buggy Shriner cars, and as a member of Covington Masonic Lodge No. 188, he transported patients from throughout Louisiana to Jerusalem Shriner Hospitals in Houston, Shreveport and Galveston.
He believed in hard work and direct statements. He could tell you what to do, how to do it and how you did it wrong -- all in one sentence. He was fun and fun-loving, a character, quietly generous and compassionate. He will be missed.
Family and friends are welcome to attend a gathering in celebration of Roy's life beginning at 10:00 AM on Saturday, September 9, 2017 at E.J. Fielding Funeral Home, 2260 W. 21st Ave. Covington, LA 70433 followed by a memorial service with rites and ceremonies led by the Masons at 12:00 noon.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Jerusalem Shrine's Transportation Fund, P.O. Box 712 Destrehan, LA 70047 or by calling (985) 725-1716.
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