Joseph Johnson Jr.

Joseph Burton Johnson Jr., 92, died peacefully Sunday morning May 4, 2014. Born April 11, 1922 in Sewanee, Tenn., he moved to Chattanooga at the age of ten, served as an altar boy at Christ Episcopal Church and attended City High School. Joe became an Eagle Scout under the leadership of Ellsworth Brown. He was a Veteran of the U.S. Amy where he served in the Philippines during World War II, receiving many decorations and citations including two bronze stars. Joe was an excellent homebuilder, champion chess player, restorer of MGs, winning national rally in Boston, Mass. with first MG and was an official member of the Knot-hole gang at Engle Stadium. Joe was an exemplary, larger than life individual, putting Christ above all, serving where he could. After retirement, he implemented a bike ministry for the orphans of St. Marys Episcopal in Sewanee. Joe and Ruby had many happy years tooling around the country on their motorcycle and MG. He was preceded in death by his wife of 72 years, Ruby Dotson Johnson; parents, Joseph B. "Burt" Johnson Sr. and Alma Sutherland Johnson; sister, Erma Fisher; and granddaughter, Jennifer Johnson. He is survived by six children, Barry Hubert, Deward Burton, Joseph Wesley Johnson, Janice (Ted) Williams and Angela Brumley all of Ringgold, Ga., and Linda Murphy of Chattanooga, who felt extremely blessed to have a truly devoted father; 16 grandchildren; 27 great-grandchildren. The family will receive friends at the Christ Episcopal Church from 11 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. Thursday, May 8, at the church. Funeral services will be held 12:30 p.m. Thursday at the church with Father Jon Anderson Officiating. Interment will follow at Chattanooga National Cemetery. An online register book may be signed at www.wilsonfuneralhome.com. Arrangements are by Wilson Funeral Home, Wallis-Stewart Chapel, Ringgold.