Frederick William “Fred” Johnson Jr., age 82 of Ridgeland, MS passed away peacefully on Tuesday, January 16, 2024 after a long struggle with Parkinson’s Disease. He was born March 11th, 1941, in Jackson, MS. He was a treasured husband, father, PoPo, brother, son, and a one-of-a-kind friend. Fred had a deep and abiding faith in Jesus Christ.
Fred grew up in Jackson, MS where he graduated from Murrah High School. Following graduation, he attended Georgia Tech where he graduated in 1963 with a B.S. degree in Industrial Management. Fred was active in ROTC and received his commission into the Army September 25th, 1963. He was a member the 82nd Airborne. Fred received the prestigious Bronze Star and Silver Star for his gallantry in combat in 1966. He was honorably discharged in 1968.
Following his military service, he moved his young family to Oxford, MS where he earned his law degree from the University of Mississippi. Fred practiced law for many years. He and Sam lived in Ridgeland, MS for the remainder of his life.
Fred was an avid deer and duck hunter. He loved his time spent with friends at hunting camp. He was a founding member of Snake Creek Duck Club along with his dear friends Paul Hopping and Henry Shotts. He later hunted as a member of Delta Marsh. He also had a passion for training and working with Labrador Retrievers.
He will be remembered as someone who dearly loved his wife Sambo and cherished his sons Tripp and Todd. He was amazed by and extremely proud of his four grandchildren.
Fred is survived by his wife Lynne “Sam” Fortenberry Johnson of Ridgeland, MS; his sons, Frederick William Johnson III (Tripp) and Robert Todd Johnson of Clarksville, TN. Also his four grandchildren, Wade Johnson of New Orleans, LA, Hollis Johnson of New Orleans, LA, Zach Johnson of Clarksville, TN and Nathan Johnson of Clarksville, TN. He will be most especially missed by his dog, Henry. He is also survived by his loving caretakers, Shirley Baugh, Moeshia Sylvester, Jabria Reed, Michael Liddell and many more.
Fred was preceded in death by his parents, Fred W Johnson Sr. and Edna Earle Johnson; his sister Nancy Christine Johnson; and daughter-in-law, Bethany Thompson Johnson (Todd).
A visitation will be held on Sunday, January 21, 2024 at Parkway Funeral Home in Ridgeland, MS from 2:00 to 5:00 pm. A funeral service will take place in the chapel at First Baptist Jackson on Monday, January 22, 2024 at 2:00 pm.
The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to The Michael J. Fox Foundation online at give.michaeljfox.org/give or to Sam and Fred’s favorite no kill animal shelters Animal Rescue Fund (Pippa Jackson) by mail to 395 West Mayes St., Jackson, MS 39213 or Cheshire Abbey (Chrissy Cheshire) on Facebook.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy for the Johnson family may be expressed at www.parkwayfuneralhomeridgeland.com.
COMPARTA UN OBITUARIO
v.1.9.6