Herbert Wilson Johnson, Sr.

Long time Marion County and Dunnellon, Florida resident Herbert W. Johnson, Sr., 95, passed away January 29, 2021.  He was born on November 24, 1925 in Quincy, Florida, Gadsden County, to Rev. Albert Lee Johnson and Claudie Scott Johnson.

Herb was raised in Tallahassee, FL, graduated from Leon High School in 1943 and joined the United States Coast Guard in September 1943 at the age of 17.  His parents had to sign for him to enlist.  After Boot Camp he was sent to Gorton, Connecticut and trained as a Radar Operator, also known as a “Radar Striker”.  Following Radar training he was assigned to the USS General William Mitchell. He made several trips across the Atlantic, two trips to Casablanca and North Africa and Scotland carrying troops that participated in the D-day Invasion.

Herbert enjoyed serving in the Coast Guard and seeing the world so much that after WWII he gave serious thought to re-enlisting but opted to return to civilian life.  After being honorably discharged from the Coast Guard, Herbert enrolled at Lively Vocational Technical School in Tallahassee to study electrical work. Unable to obtain work with any local electrical contractors, went to work at a service station where he also delivered fuel oil for heating. There he met and married Lonie Collinsworth from Blountstown.  In 1948 Herb was hired by Florida Power Corp. to work at the Lake Talquin Hydro plant on the Ochlockonee River.  While there they were blessed with a daughter Wanda and a son Herbie.  Seven years later he transferred to the Inglis plant, where he worked as a water analyst. When FPC built a new power plant north of Crystal River, Herb was hired there as a Chief Lab Technician. He ultimately worked for Florida Power from October 1948 until his retirement in February 1988.

Herb Johnson was a family man who instilled in his family a love of hunting, fishing, and anything to do with the great outdoors.  He served as a Boy Scout leader and loved young people of all ages.  The neighborhood kids always knew that Mr. Herb was always available to help them with school projects, either through the use of his encyclopedias, or helping to identify various bugs, insects or small animals.  As a history buff, he loved spending his later years with the history group who meet at the Dunnellon Train Depot.

Herbert Wilson Johnson, Sr. was a very kind and gentle man who loved life and loved people and he will be sorely missed by all who knew him.

Memorial services will be held at 11 AM Saturday, February 27, at Roberts Funeral Home, 19939 E. Pennsylvania Avenue, Dunnellon, FL.  Mr. Johnson’s remains will be buried in the Mount Glory Freewill Baptist Church north of Quincy, FL.

At the family’s request, memorial contributions may be made to:

In Memory of Herbert W. Johnson, Sr.

The Domestic Violence/Sexual Assault Center

Creative Services, Inc.

PO Box 2193

Ocala, FL  34478

Phone donations can be made by calling 352-351-4009  ext.109

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