Larry Wayne Johnson

After complications from a severe heart attack, Larry Wayne Johnson passed away at Grandview Medical Center on January 17, 2024 surrounded by his loved ones. He put up a brave and valiant fight to overcome the damage to his heart. Sadly, a couple of days later his body wore out after his exceptional team of doctors and nurses exhausted every possible option to save him. He was 72 years old.

Larry was born on February 13, 1951 to Joseph Lowell Johnson and Mary Lyons Johnson in Birmingham, Alabama. He graduated from Woodlawn High School in 1969. Afterward, Larry joined the 20th Special Forces Group (Airborne) out of the Army’s National Guard. Larry was very proud of his service to his country. Later on, he rose through the ranks to become revered at a local civil engineering firm. He was also really proud of his accomplishments and his work done here.

In Spring 1983, Larry met the love of his life, Donna Maye Day. The two fell in love, and they got married on November 12, 1983. On March 12, 1991, they had a son, and they named him Joseph Garrison Johnson. The couple was fortunate enough to celebrate 40 years of marriage this past November. Larry’s family was a priority for him every day until his sudden tragic passing.

Larry lived a life faced with a lot of difficulties and challenges. He experienced such circumstances that would cause many to crumble. However, he was an independent and resilient man, shown in his ability to overcome prostate cancer over the past year. He had the attitude and spirit of strong work ethic, determination, and discipline. These characteristics were integral to who he was as a person. He knew who he was, what he liked, and disliked. He was courageous enough to speak his mind, and would keep his commitments to honor who he was.

Larry was and is a great provider for his family. This was shown recently in the discovery of a long list of instructions he kept privately for his family to access in case of his untimely death. He knew how to think and plan ahead, and focus on the big picture. He made sure that his wife and son were taken care of, protected, and given every opportunity for growth personally and professionally. He also provided for others by being generous with his means through donations.

You also couldn’t ask for a better handyman than Larry. It seemed like there wasn’t anything the man didn’t know how to repair, and this was such a blessing for those who were close to him. This extended to his passion for electronics as well. Larry was very interested in keeping up with and utilizing the latest technology. If you had an issue or question regarding an electronic device, he was the right man for the job. He also displayed a warm and gentle side seen in his love for animals, especially his beloved bassett hounds.

Larry was also a brilliant man. He possessed such a thirst for knowledge. He loved to explore the depths of life. He was the kind of person who could tell you something about anything. However, he truly adored drawing from the endless well of wisdom found in the Bible. He would prioritize studying Scripture for hours a day. He loved learning about his Creator so much, and conversing with others about these beliefs. He even served as a deacon for a period of time at his childhood church, Crestway Baptist Church. Larry was a dedicated Christian and churchgoer throughout his life. His faith in Jesus was an essential aspect of him. One of his favorite Bible verses was John 6:37, “All that the Father gives me will come to me, and any who come to me I will never cast out.” This verse blends Larry’s awe of God’s providence together with his thankfulness of Jesus’ unconditional love and approachability to those who seek Him.

The loss of Larry Wayne Johnson means the world has lost a man full of principles, advice, wisdom, insight, intelligence, boldness, life experience, and generosity. His absence will be felt for years to come.

Larry is survived by his wife, Donna Day Johnson; his children, Angela Jeanette Johnson Zimmerman and Joseph Garrison Johnson, along with Garrison's wife Sara Burchfield Johnson; one sister, Gail Smith, along with her husband Russell Smith; and grandchildren, Paige Mackinzie Zimmerman and Charles Wyatt Zimmerman. Larry also leaves behind eight nieces and nephews.

An indoor service is scheduled for 1 p.m. on Saturday, January 27, 2024 at Ridout's Southern Heritage Funeral Home in Pelham, Alabama.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you donate to Big Oak Ranch ministry or The Church at Brook Hills.