Gaylon Devone Johnson, Sr.

Gaylon Devone Johnson, Sr. passed away March 18, 2016 at his home in Red Banks, MS. He was born August 10, 1940 in Carryville, AR to the late Thomas and Nora Grace Johnson. He was preceded in death by 8 siblings; Anna Belle Ferrell, Sherial Johnson, Elmo Johnson, Delores Johnson, Delorn Johnson, Oral Johnson, Odell Johnson and Billy Dean Johnson. He attended Hatyi High school where he played football and Drury College in Springfield, MO. He served his country in the United States navy and the United States Coast Guard. In January of 1966 he received a letter of Commendation and medal from the Coast Guard for his role as the boat commander that assisted in rescuing 20 Greek soldiers off a sinking ship in 20 foot swells. He received many awards thru his working career at Zenith in Springfield, MO and Motorola in Joplin, MO. Gaylon was fun loving, enjoyed life, enjoyed his westerns, was a great father and Grand Pa, was wordly and knowledgeable, loved animals and could fix anything.He married Beulah Robinson in 1962, divorced in 1984. He is survived by his children; Gaylon (Shelly) Johnson Jr, Becky (Matt) Gribben, Mindy (Don) Davis and Jay (Amy) Johnson, grandchildren; Kandice Stephens, Augusta Johnson, Ryan Wilsom, Kendal Adair, Jd Davis, Bryant Davis, Jayce Johnson, Colten Johnson and Emily Johnson, great-grandchildren; Nick Stephens, Jackson Davis, Tristan Davis and Ashlan Adair. He also leaves behind 3 siblings; James Donald of O Fallon IL, Loral Johnson of Greers Ferry, AR and Wilma Wilkerson of Grapevine, TX.

Visitation will be held from 9-10 a.m. Tuesday, March 22, 2016 with services to begin at 10 a.m. the same day at Brantley Funeral Home in Olive Branch, MS. Graveside services will be held at 10:45 a.m. Thursday, March 24, 2016 at West Tennessee Veterans Cemetery in Memphis, TN