Lloyd Daniel Johnson

Lloyd Daniel Johnson's life and lasting legacy will be celebrated this Saturday October 28, 2023 at Scanio-Harper Funeral Home, Temple, TX, at 11am. Visitation will take place on Friday, October 27, 2023 from 6:00pm – 8:00pm, also at Scanio-Harper Funeral Home in Temple.

Also known as "Sonny", his story began on October 9, 1935. Born in Bell County in Central Texas to Sidney and Bertha Johnson, he was the youngest of eight children, all of whom were raised working local cotton fields and getting as much education as was possible during the already trying and economically difficult era which included the Great Depression. Three additional Johnson siblings did not survive infancy. But, Sidney and Bertha pressed on, raising a large and loving family.

Lloyd was part "Davey Crocket", a proud and respected Texan til the end. His elder family, having migrated to Central Texas from Tennessee and Arkansas, made the journey by covered wagon. He also had some "William Wallace" in him and a wee bit of "St. Patrick" as well, with the "brave heart" and the steadfast spirit of his earlier ancestors, having immigrated from Scotland and Ireland. Lloyd was raised in the area of the present day Belton Lake, which was then known as Tennessee Valley. When Belton Dam was constructed and the valley area became the lake, the Johnsons moved to the higher grounds of Moffat, Pendleton, Oeanaville, and later to Belton and Temple. Many interesting and true stories exist about Lloyd and his siblings and their (literally) legendary antics as well as their strong camaraderie growing up, which also lasted the duration of all of their lives. Balancing the lessons of a hard work ethic with a steadfast Christian faith, his parents instilled the strong family values and the character that Lloyd held on until his very end.

He became known as a simple man with the kindest heart you've ever witnessed.

As was the case for many young men of his era, Lloyd managed to enlist in the military and became a United States Marine well before his eighteenth birthday. As a young Marine he became a decorated marksman and was honored with several medals, including the designation of "Rifle Expert" as well as "Pistol Expert." These and other achievements aided him later as he became a police officer in Killeen, Texas, the home of Fort Hood, where area soldiers of the 1960's surely came to know him very well while they were off the base and in need of some additional "accountability." He did not let them down. Never the biggest guy, but always a known "enforcer," Lloyd helped to keep Bell County safer in those days. He went on to serve in law enforcement in other areas of Texas as well. He was City Marshal of Marble Falls and later a Constable in Colorado County. As an extracurricular activity, still holding true to the legend, "Once a Marine, Always a Marine," Lloyd earned his "Concealed Handgun License" at the age of 71 in a full class of students aging mostly in their 20's and 30's. Not surprisingly, he out-performed all of them, earning a "perfect" shooting score. Always the quiet leader, he never even had to say, "Go ahead. Make my day." His charisma was all in his eyes... and in action.

Lloyd's most proud achievements, however, came when he became a family man. He married the late Charlotte Shearin at Twin Cities Baptist Church in Temple in 1962 where he also volunteered in evangelism. He and Charlotte had three children, John in 1964, Gary in 1967 and Stephanie in 1971. He felt no greater pride than being called "dad." To better support his family, he also worked as a foreman at United Metals in Alleyton, Texas and was a solo entrepreneur as a small business owner for many years. He enjoyed and owned several classic cars and trucks over the years and was a member of the Bassmasters fishing club. From motorsports to shooting sports as well as road trips and plenty fishing and camping outings with them all, he was on cloud 9 when having fun, just enjoying his family time.

He is survived by sons John Johnson and Gary Johnson and daughter Stephanie Hudson, all of Temple. He was "Grandpa" to Daniel Johnson, Kathryn Torres, Nicky Smith, Christopher Johnson, and Luke Johnson, all of Temple. Finally, he became "Great Grandpa" to eight great grandchildren. He is survived by all of them except for Christopher, who has now welcomed him home.

Family meant everything to him, from childhood until he passed on to join those who went before him. Gaining his renewed health, eternal strength and long-awaited, ultimate joy on October 20, 2023, he was preceded in death by his parents, Sidney and Bertha Johnson, brothers Denver Johnson, Perry "P.D." Johnson, and J.C. Johnson, and sisters Lula B. Moore, Rubye Simonton, Irene Johnson and Jean Johnson as well as three other siblings who perished during birth. "Grandpa" was also preceded in death by his beloved grandson, Christopher Wayne Johnson who also "finished the race" valiantly just a few months before his grandpa. A marvelous reunion is now underway, which followed Lloyd's ultimate healing, courtesy of his Ultimate and Heavenly Father, by way of his Savior, Jesus Christ. Our Dad, Grandpa and Great Grandpa is finally in his Ultimate Home... and he's loving every minute of it! All Praise and Glory be to God! And, all together, now: "AMEN!"