Lawrence A Johnson Sr.

Lawrence Albert Johnson, Sr., age 75, of Vestavia Hills, Alabama, died at home on Friday, June 3rd, 2016 after a twenty-month battle with cancer. Larry was born in Birmingham, Alabama on January 20, 1941 and graduated from Shades Valley High School in 1959. He attended Auburn University and then married the love of his life, Carolyn Sue “Suzy” Roberts, in 1961. They were happily married for 54 years. He went to work for Air Engineers in 1964, and spent the next 42 years with the company, which enabled him and Suzy to travel the world. They have been to every continent except Antarctica together. While at Air Engineers, he also served as president of his professional society, ASHRAE. He retired as Vice President and Sales Manager of Air Engineers in 2006. Larry was a 40-year member of Trinity United Methodist Church in Homewood, where he served as a Sunday School leader and teacher. He also served as Assistant Scoutmaster from 1978 to 1981, and Scoutmaster from 1982 to 1989, of Boy Scout Troop 97. He was awarded the Vigil Honor from Cherokee Lodge on June 6th, 1986, the highest honor that the Order of the Arrow can bestow upon its members for service to lodge, council, and Scouting. His Indian name in Lene Lenape is “I Num’Hla” which translated into English as “Thunder”. Larry was an avid golfer and lifelong Auburn Tigers and Washington Redskins fan. He is preceded in death by his mother Sarah (Sherrod) Johnson Smith, father Orel Andrew “Buster” Johnson, who died fighting the Nazis in Normandy, step-father J.L. Smith, and half-brothers Steve and Bolton Smith. He is survived by wife, Suzy, son Larry Jr. (Leisa), daughter Cindy, and granddaughters Bailey and Harper, who, when they were little would collect rocks with him to have pretend tea parties. He leaves behind that rock collection, and too many books for a normal person to read in a lifetime. He loved all kinds of music, especially Elvis, The Beatles, Tchaikovsky, Isaac Hayes, John Williams, John Lee Hooker, ZZ Top and Swing tunes. He enjoyed watching the Simpsons, The Three Stooges, and Donald Duck, and listening to Redd Foxx, Brother Dave Gardner and Lewis Grizzard. He loved to laugh and tell jokes and would entertain you will long, fascinating stories about historical events. Visitation will be Tuesday, June 7th, from 5:00 until 7:00 pm at Ridout's Elmwood. Graveside funeral will be at Elmwood Cemetery Wednesday at 10:00 am with a short visitation at 9:30 am beforehand at Ridout's Elmwood for people unable to come Tuesday evening. In lieu of flowers please send contributions to BSA Troop 97 at Trinity United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 19069, Homewood, AL 35219.