Ward "Harlon" Johnson Jr.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held for Ward “Harlon” Johnson, Jr. formerly of Palmetto, FL at 3:00pm on Saturday, September 26 at Groover Funeral Home, 1400 36th Ave E, Ellenton, FL. Harlon was born on July 7, 1938 in Duette, FL to the late Ward Johnson, Sr. and Iris Albritton-Johnson.

Harlon grew up and went to school in Duette, FL then graduated from Manatee High School. As a young adult he lived in Palmetto where he met his sweetheart, Juanita Hopkins, and they later married on August 19, 1961.

He worked for Kilgore Agriculture in Palmetto, and for many years was self-employed in the carpentry/handyman business. His next venture was owner and operator of the former Exxon gas station on 8th Avenue West in Palmetto. After selling the gas station he was employed by AsGrow Seed Company which became Terra in Ellenton, where he later retired.

Harlon was a loving husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle and friend. He loved his family deeply and his greatest joy in life was being “PaPa” to his two granddaughters, Sydney and Ashton.

He is survived by his two sons, Steve Johnson (Cheryl), and Jeff Johnson (Peggy “Dede”), and his beloved granddaughters, Sydney Gerry (Kris), and Ashton Klucker (Noah), who brought him endless pride and joy over the years. He also leaves behind a sister, Linda Sealy, along with many nieces, nephews, great nieces, great nephews and extended family.

Harlon was preceded in death by his loving wife and sweetheart of over 64 years, Juanita Johnson, his parents, Ward Johnson, Sr. and Iris Albritton-Johnson, and his brother Wayne Johnson.

Visitation will be from 1:30pm to 3:00pm on Saturday, September 26 at Groover Funeral Home, 1400 36th Ave, E, Ellenton, FL. Celebration of Life Service will begin at 3:00pm.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to The Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation at https://www2.breakthrought1d.org/site/Donation2 or First Baptist Church of Palmetto or Suncoast Baptist Church of Palmetto.