Andrew J. Johnson, III (aka Chief and Poppa), was born in Holdenville, Oklahoma, on September 30, 1942, to Andrew Jackson Johnson, Jr. and Revoyda S. Cato Johnson. Chief was a longtime resident of Baton Rouge, LA, he passed away on October 1, 2023, at age 81. Chief Johnson proudly served in both the U.S. Air Force and the U.S. Coast Guard Reserves, he retired from the U.S. Coast Guard after more than thirty (30) years of service. He was a 4th Degree Knight in the Knights of Peter Claver, a life member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Incorporated, a member of Golden Key International Honor Society, and a member of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church. He was also a member of the Krewe of Camelot and the Beau Brummell social organizations. In addition, Mr. Johnson was a member in good standing of the Black Pilots of America. He proudly completed his first solo flight in 1977. He also loved and collected model trains. Chief is survived by his wife, Bejai Prenell-Johnson of Baton Rouge; sons, Mack-Andrew Johnson and Je’koby Prenell of Baton Rouge; his only grandchild, Xavier Andrew Lee Johnson (newborn), sister, Gae Santiago of Trenton, NJ; and brother, Tony Johnson of Miami, FL and many relatives in Oklahoma. Andrew was preceded in death by his parents and three brothers, Ronald, Willard, and Rudolph Johnson. A visitation for Mr. Johnson will be held at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church on Monday, October 16, 2023 at 9 A.M. until Mass of Christian Burial at 11A.M. conducted by Fr. Thomas Clark. In lieu of flowers, please consider memorial contributions in Andrew's name to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital in Memphis, TN. The family extends gratitude and thanks to Audubon Home Health, Clarity Hospice at The Crossing, the medical staff at OLOL Hospital, and special thanks to Dr. Mary Louise Jones for her love and support.
