John W. Johnson. Jr.

John Wesley Johnson, Jr. was born on September 2, 1942, in Bogalusa, Louisiana to Maudie Mae Redman and John Wesley Johnson, Sr. At an early age, he moved to Cincinnati, Ohio with his mother.

After moving to Cincinnati, John accepted Christ, becoming a member of Zion Baptist Church where Reverend L. Booth bap-tized him. He remained a servant leader for God of the Universe (as he liked to say) for the rest of his life, feeding family, friends, and neighbors often and helping those in need in any way that he could.

He was a graduate of Taft High School, class of 1961 where he was an active student body member, participating in the Cross-Country Track Team, T Club, Choir, and Junior Librarians, to name a few. Taft is also where he built a community of life-long friends who were more like family.

After graduating high school, John enlisted in the United States Army, serving his country from 1961 until 1963. Following his honorable discharge, he immersed himself in martial arts. He started karate in the Shuri Ryu style under Mr. Dave Stewart in 1964. He continued his studies in the Chinese Kempo style under Master Victor Moore from 1965-66, and in 1967 he trained with Master Kyong Won Ahn under whom he was promoted to Black Belt in 1969. The same year he obtained his Black Belt, he and his close friend Master George Wharton started a free karate program for neighborhood children at the Lincoln Center in the West End. The program was not funded, but the community was so impressed with their dedication to the children that they gave John and George money to maintain the program and send them to tournaments. The children thrived in the program as students, winning numerous championships at local, state, and national levels. In total, John trained and taught as a celebrated Tang Soo Do stylist for over 58 years.

On September 17, 1977, John married Phyllis Jean Doughman at her family home in Hartwell. They were blessed with two daughters: Yolanda Nicole born in 1978 and Tamara Monique born in 1983.

Throughout his career life, he worked as a medical technician in varying capacities at both Children’s and University Hospitals. He went on to work for Proctor and Gamble as a Buyer and building coordinator for biological testing materials for 22 years before retiring in 1998.

John was a proud man who believed in hard work and service. He enjoyed music, cooking, yard work, and interacting with his friends and neighbors. He was devoted to his family and believed in equity for all human beings. In his final days, he wanted everyone whose lives he touched or who touched him to know he loved them. Before he transitioned to be with the Lord, he sang the following lyrics to his wife: “What the world needs now is love sweet love/ It’s the only thing that there’s just too little of/ What the world needs now is love sweet love/No not just for some but for everyone.” His final wish was for those he loved to continue loving and finding peace. As he would often say, “It is what it is”. And it is so. Amen.

He leaves to cherish his memory: his wife, Phyllis Johnson; his two daughters Yolanda Johnson and Tamara Rice (Brandon), and his two grandchildren Bria Kai Rice and Brandon John Wesley Rice, Jr.; brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nieces and nephews as well as a beloved host of, friends, students, and neighbors.

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