Jerry Johnson

Jerry Johnson passed away peacefully on May 14, 2018 with his family by his side. Jerry was born on December 5, 1937 to Curtis and Allie Johnson in Waldron, Arkansas.

He grew up enjoying fishing, hunting and working as a carpenter for his father. Once he graduated high school, he joined the Navy and spent his Navy years as an engineman on a Mine Sweeper. His tours included the Bay of Pigs and the Cuban Crisis.

While on leave to his hometown he met his future wife, Elnora Davis, and it was a love that lasted for over 60 years. They were married on June 5, 1959. After completing his enlistment and joining the Navy Reserves, he enrolled in the University of Arkansas where he earned his Bachelor of Science degree. In 1966, Jerry and Elnora then moved to Arizona with their oldest daughter, Brenda Johnson. A few years later their younger daughter, Valerie Butler, was born.

While living in Phoenix, he worked as a superintendent for a large construction company and also earned his pilot’s license from Scottsdale Aviation. When the family moved to Pinetop, he worked for Pinetop-Lakeside as an inspector and also served on the P-L Planning and Zoning Commission for 6 years. As a licensed contractor he built custom homes and commercial buildings. He opened a custom cabinet and furniture shop where his work can be seen at the P-L Courtroom, Chalet Restaurant, BRHS (East Campus) sign, the Atrium and mounts for Trapper’s Den Taxidermy. He continued to build until last year when he retired.

Jerry always loved Arizona for the quail hunting in Florence and bass fishing in multiple lakes. He spent many years rebuilding a Prevost bus to travel the country with his wife and family. He and his wife would travel each fall with extended family members to National Parks in several States. Family was always the most important thing in his life and you could see it in everything he did. He joined the White Mountain Sheriff’s Posse in 1978. He was a member of the Pinetop Baptist Church where he built and donated kitchen cabinets for their new kitchen.

Jerry is survived by his wife, Elnora Johnson; daughter, Brenda Johnson; daughter, Valerie Butler; sister, Charlene Hill; grandchildren, Beth (Charlie) Lee, Nikki Storms, Shelby (Brock) Penrod, Alexis Butler, Dennis Butler, Skylar Butler and 11 great-grandchildren.

A Celebration of Life will be announced and held in the Fall.