Johnny Yancey

Johnny was born in Opelika, Alabama on May 14, 1949 and passed from this life on October 10, 2026 in Denver, Colorado at the age of 77.

As a young man, Johnny was one of millions of African Americans who left the South in search of a better life during the Great Migration. He was a Job Corps participant in Maine, and then went on to work at Honeywell in Boston, Massachusetts. Johnny worked for Eastman Kodak after the family relocated to Rochester, New York.

During his years in Boston, Johnny married Berdia (Lawson) and became the proud and loving father of a son and a daughter. He was also a member of the Prince Hall Grand Lodge.

Johnny loved science fiction, fantasy, and action movies and his children have many fond memories of going to see them with him. He enjoyed watching basketball and football games, even becoming a Denver Broncos fan late in life.

Most of all, Johnny cared deeply about people and was a joy to all who knew him. He is greatly missed and will be forever remembered.

He is survived by his wife, Berdia; son, John Christopher; daughter, Yani and son-in-law, Michael Foote; many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews; and a brother, Fred Jr.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Fred and Odessa; sisters, Mary Lois, Elizabeth, and Patricia.