Edwin Eugene "Gene" Johnson

Edwin Eugene “Gene” Johnson, age 82, of Corinth, Alcorn County, Mississippi, passed away Sunday afternoon on March 15, 2015 at Community Hospice – Darlington Oaks located in Verona, MS. Born June 21, 1932, Eugene Johnson was the son of late Elmer Franklin Johnson and Ila Dee Lee, both of Corinth, MS. Mr. Johnson was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers, James Burnett “J.B.” Johnson and Tommy Franklin Johnson, SR, both of Corinth. Edwin Eugene “Gene” Johnson is survived by his wife of 54 years, Rose Marie S. Johnson; daughter, Michelle Johnson Wilson Pruitt (Jim); and one granddaughter, Chelsea Wilson; two sisters-in-law, Daisy Johnson (J.B.) and Thelma Johnson (Tommy); Nieces and Nephews, Wayne Johnson & Karen Johnson Crum, children of brother J. B. Johnson; and Darcy Decerse and Tommy Johnson, JR, children of brother Tommy Johnson; as well as great nieces and nephews; Aunt, Bobbie Lee Ferguson, of Hernando, MS; multiple cousins. “Gene” spent a considerable part of his childhood living in Kossuth, MS, at the rural home of his Grandfather, William Burnett “W.B.” Lee, of Corinth, MS, and step Grandmother, Neva Hudson Lee of Indiana, where he also attended Kossuth School … having to “walk 5 miles” in the snow down gravel roads. “Action & Adventure” was Gene’s middle name! He lived in many different places across the United States from one corner to the other, living life to its fullest as he experienced many different hobbies and vocations! His two favorite states in which he lived where Colorado and Florida. The stories he recounted of his life’s adventures were fascinating and captivating! Among his many interests and passions, he especially enjoyed the outdoors most of all. During his lifetime, Mr. Johnson was an avid fisherman, professional deep sea diver, lifeguard, boxer, bronc buster, motorcycle enthusiast, Salesman, Furniture Store Owner, Grocery Store Manager, News Paper Editor, Restauranteur, and Professional Paint Contractor, to mention just a few. Humor and laughter was so important to “Gene”, as those who knew him well will testify to his ability to tell one joke after another keeping everyone in stitches! In his later years, his main passion and drive was his prized vegetable garden. He was known to plant 300 tomato plants alone! He truly had the gift of a “green thumb”! Even though Mr. Johnson was not wealthy, he has been described by so many as being such a “giving” man, always willing to share with others in need. Every year, he lovingly tended his 3-acre garden full of beautiful vegetables and fruits, then unselfishly, he would always “give” it all away. In his later years, Gene developed a “soft heart” for all of God’s creatures, despite having been an avid hunter and fisherman as a younger man. How it tickled his soul and warmed his heart to feed little birds and squirrels as he tried to coax them into his living room and close enough to pet! Mr. Johnson loved his two young cats named “Boy”, and “Blackie”, but his favorite pet was a German Shepherd dog named “Chico”. He was a member of Wheeler Grove Baptist Church, having been led to Christ in the early 1970’s by his pastor Brother Rextrall, who he admired and revered with much love and appreciation. Gene was a silent “hero”, having save countless people from drowning during his career as a Lifeguard on Panama City, FL beaches – even having to fight with a large shark and being bitten halfway around his body requiring hundreds of stitches. He killed the shark with a diving knife and the event was featured and photographed for a local Florida newspaper. Gene would do anything in a blink of an eye to help another person; in the late 1970’s the house across the rural gravel road caught on fire in the late evening. Mr. Johnson did not hesitate to risk his own life to break into the home to try to save the elderly man who he believed was inside! Mr. Johnson’s hand was badly cut in the process of breaking out a window with his fist. The neighbor was not at home at the time of the fire, but Mr. Johnson “saved” the two inside pets from burning in the fire! His bravery knew no limits as he boldly painted tall water towers, extremely high church steeples, and took deep and dangerous diving assignments that no average person were dare to attempt – such as the contracted diving mission to retrieve a highly deadly tank of Cyanide from the bottom of dangerous waters, which he accomplished with resounding success! Funeral arrangements were entrusted to Magnolia Funeral Home, Corinth, MS. Visitation will take place Thursday, March 19, 2015 at 1:00 P M at Magnolia Funeral Home, followed by a service beginning at 2:00 P M. Interment will be at Wheeler Grove Cemetery. Magnolia Funeral Home has been honored to provide the arrangements for Mr. Edwin Eugene “Gene” Johnson. Condolences may be left on our website at magnoliafuneralhome.net