Earnest Merl Johnson age 92 passed away on May 1, 2024, at his home, surrounded by his family. He was born on August 26, 1931, in Marsden, Arkansas to the late Horace Wade Johnson and Martella Robertson Johnson. He proudly served his country in the United States Navy as a Private in Company A 206 HV.TK.Bn. Upon discharge from the U.S. Navy, he entered the University of Houston, Texas, and studied engineering. After marriage to Sandra West, he relocated to Arkansas. He and his wife were self-employed and owner of E and S Logging, and Johnson Equipment and Supplies for 20 years. He changed his career path and worked for Combustion Engineers as Field Director in New Mexico, Texas, and Oklahoma until he retired after 22 years of service. He again re-entered the work field as yard supervisor for 25 years for WS Richardson Pulpwood Inc. After a second retirement he was self-employed as owner and operator of a small saw mill he managed from his home. He permanently retired at the age of 88 to care for his wife until her death. Working and making sure everyone around him worked was his passion and hobby.
He was a member of the Blue Lodge in Warren, Masonic Lodge number 33, Warren, a thirty-second degree Scottish Rite Mason, Houston, Texas. He was a member of the Shriner-Sarah Temple in Pine Bluff, Arkansas, and a member of various local clubs. He was a faithful member of the Methodist Church in Warren, and a devoted member of the Fisherman’s Sunday School Class.
Other than his parents he is preceded in death by his wife of 62 years Sandra West Johnson in 2017, his daughter Teresa Johnson Brewster, son in law James Shelby Brewster, brother Myrna Gene Johnson, sisters Marnell Johnson Smith, Mary Parrish Tucker, and Patricia Ann Johnson Burchett.
Survivors include: son Toney Johnson (Deborah) of Scott, Ark., daughters Karen Richardson (Scott) of Warren, Ark., and Rhonda Sizemore (Harvey) of Cayman Brac, BWI:, brother Gene Parrish of Hartsdale, OH; seven grandchildren Shelly Ashley, (Jett) of Flower Mound, Texas, Scott Allison Johnson (Justin) of Warren, Ark., Robert Austin (Ashley) of Warren, Ark., Krista Thornton of Benton, Ark., Toni Elizabeth Johnson of Benton, Ark., Winston Sizemore (Mary Allison) of Hattiesburg, Miss., Bryant Sizemore (Claire) of Little Rock, Ark.; seven great grandchildren, one great, great grandchild, and his extended family Robbie Miller, Reola Raney, and Beverly Brown.
Funeral services were Saturday, May 4, 2024 at Frazer’s Funeral Home, with the Revered Dixon Platt officiating. Graveside at Oaklawn Cemetery Warren.
Pallbearers were Robert Austin Richardson, Winston Sizemore, Bryant Sizemore, Justin Johnson, Jett Ashley, and Thomas Frazer.
Honorary pallbearers were Curtis Blankinship, Brenda Blankinship, Doctor Kerry Pennington, Zeb Beard, Donald Strom, Danny Gene Adair, Collin Ashley, Connor Ashley, Greg Harton, Mack McClain, Thomas Izquerdo and the Methodist Fisherman’s Sunday School Class.
In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to the First Methodist Church, or the Warren Veterans Museum.
