Percy G. Johnson

Percy Garfield Johnson was born Sept. 20, 1933, to Rufus E. Johnson and Mable Roach Johnson, of Port Arthur, Texas. He was one of 12 siblings: Joseph Johnson, Port Arthur, Andrew Timothy Johnson, Aurora, Colo., Frederick Johnson, Port Arthur, Mable Turner, Washington, D.C., Lydia Bryant, Houston, Rose Daniels, Beaumont, Texas, and Jeannie Stephens and Lottie Bradley, both of Houston. He was preceded in death by Queen Sansom, who was of Houston, Samuel Johnson, who was of Ville Platte, and Rufus Alexander Johnson, who was of Denver. Percy was married to Ruth Thearzine Johnson for 44 years. He fathered seven children, Mable Marie Powell, Baton Rouge, Percy Garfield Johnson Jr., Plano, Texas, David Conrad Johnson, Baton Rouge, Judy Ann Vargas, Morrow, Ga., Peter Jeffery Johnson, St. Gabriel, and Ruth Thearzine Johnson and Paul Michael Johnson, both of Baton Rouge; daughters-in-law and sons-in-law, Christina Johnson, Phyllis Johnson (former), Debra Johnson, Carlos Vargas Jr., Erica Johnson and Sable Johnson. He had 19 grandchildren, Christin Anderson, Devon Vargas, Brandon Powell, Brooke Vargas-Harris, Peter Johnson Jr., Rachael Young, Phelan Johnson, Ryan Johnson, Pharis Johnson, Carlos Vargas III, Chenia Jackson, Seth Jackson, Taylor Johnson, Paul Johnson Jr., Phaedra Johnson, Sydney Johnson, Diana Johnson, Victoria Johnson and Alyx Johnson. Grandsons-in-law are Donald Anderson and Patrick Harris. He had six great-grandchildren, Colin Powell, Timothy Anderson, Channil Anderson, Madyson Johnson, Peyton Harris and Mikaylah Collins. Percy Johnson was baptized at an early age at Sixth Street Baptist Church in Port Arthur by the late Rev. U.S. Keeling. Percy was a faithful and active member of Saint Alma Baptist Church of Lakeland for several years. Percy G. Johnson was a dedicated father, grandfather and loving husband. He was a member of Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity, Retired Officers Association, Southern University Commissioned Officers Association, American Legion and AARP. After his retirement, Percy dedicated his life to his family. Percy Johnson graduated from Lincoln High School in Port Arthur. He attended Southern University in Baton Rouge, where he received a bachelor's degree in chemistry and secondary education. He was a member of Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity at Southern University. In addition, he received a MBA from Southern University. After graduation from Southern University, Percy joined the U.S. Army in 1957. He trained as a chemical officer and later became an ROTC instructor. During his 21-year career, he received numerous awards and certificates, including the Meritorious Service Medal with oak leaf cluster, Army Commendation Medal with oak leaf cluster, National Defense Service Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Armed Forces Reserve Medal. Upon retirement from the military, Percy and his family relocated to Baton Rouge. He served as a recruiter and then a human resources assistant division administrator with the Louisiana Department of Civil Service. After 17 years of service, he retired from a position about which he once said, "'I was on a honeymoon for 17 years. I never had a job I hated giving up so much. Every morning I woke up early looking forward to my day. Helping people, that's what I wanted to do.'" Percy G. Johnson departed this life on Sunday, Jan. 11, 2009, at his home in Baton Rouge. He passed on as a man of great strength and character. He is remembered fondly by those he encountered in his professional and private life. Percy never met a stranger. Our family is sincerely touched and grateful to all of you. Visitation at Rabenhorst Funeral Home, 825 Government St., on Wednesday, Jan. 14, was from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Religious service at Saint Almas Baptist Church, Lakeland, on Thursday at 10 a.m., with the Rev. Mary W. Moss, senior pastor officiating. Interment in Chenal Cemetery, Lakeland. We would like to extend to you our sincere gratitude for the kindness shown to us during our time of need. The thoughts, prayers, kind words, cards, flowers and food are deeply appreciated. May God bless and keep you.