Obituary of Jimmie Johnson

With great regard we reflect on the life of Major Jimmie Johnson Jr. Major Johnson was born on December 19, 1968 in Cincinnati, Ohio- the eldest child and first born son of Deacon Jimmie "Dollar Bill" and Mrs. Georgia Ann Johnson. As his father's heart and namesake, Major Johnson spent the first years of his life traveling between Kentucky and Ohio with his father and the gospel quartet group known then as the Cincinnati Brown Brothers, prior to the family's permanent relocation to Rochester, New York. Known by most simply as Jay-Jay, the attributes which shaped Major Johnson's adult life and contributed to his success as a Marine were evident throughout his childhood. As a product of the Rochester City School District, Major Johnson attended East High School where he excelled and learned how to rock the boat as President of the Student Government, a talented athlete, and Urban League Black Scholar. Major Johnson's fluency in German began with instruction at East High where he received accolades in foreign language proficiency. Based on his narrative writing in response to the work of famed writer James Baldwin, Major Johnson was selected from among many students to participate in a guest lecture conference with the author. Major Johnson served as a junior deacon under the leadership of Rev. Richard L. Carter and the church family of St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church in Albion, New York. Major Johnson knew the word of God and loved to engage his father, Deacon Johnson, in heated discourse over the mysteries of the gospel. He valued learning and was always driven to learn more, know more, especially if he believed that the information would later help him to win a debate -regardless of the topic. His sense of humor and compassion are beyond measure. In 1987 Major Johnson enlisted in the United States Marine Corps. Later as an officer, Major Johnson would counsel, listen to and chasten based on empathy, for he knew personally what it felt like to be young and beginning a new career with a new marriage and a new baby. Major Johnson married Benita Yvette Brisbon on May 06, 1988. From this union they bore three awesome children, Jasmine Denise Lashae, Jimmie DeQuan III and Jordan Devon. Major Johnson adored his children and believed in the sanctity of family and marriage. His determination to succeed was done solely for the benefit of his children whom he loved and wanted the world for. Major Johnson graduated from the University of Rochester with a Bachelor's degree in history and was commissioned as an officer in May of 1995. Major Johnson's personal beliefs were rooted deeply in loyalty. If he cared about you, he always would do so and if he loved you he did forever. The bond that existed between Major Johnson, his parents and two younger sisters, Jannine and Latasha, could not be severed regardless of the life circumstances. Major Johnson had a close relationship with his mother Georgia whom he talked to often. He had no problem expressing his love and support for his family and when he loved he loved hard. Major Johnson grew up on Central Park on the Northeast side of the city of Rochester during the 1970's. At the close of his life, Major Johnson served as the Inspector and Instructor for Battery F Second Battalion, Fourteenth Marines United States Marine Corps, stationed in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Major Johnson was pre-deceased by his father, Deacon Jimmie Johnson Sr. He leaves to celebrate his life, his wife of eighteen years, Benita, his three children, Jasmine, Jimmie and Jordan, his mothers Georgia Johnson and Lanell Gibbons, his father-in-law, John Brisbon, his sisters Jannine and Latasha Johnson, Tonja (Roderick) Ferrell and Lateisha Washington, his sister-in-laws Sabria Baker and Rhonda (Hiram) Smith, his brothers Tyrone Nesmith and Nathaniel and Jessie Johnson, his aunts Elizabeth (James) Huff and Mrs. Catherine Johnson, a host of cousins, nieces and nephews, family and friends. Interment, Falls Cemetery, Greece, NY.