John Minor Johnson Jr.

John Minor Johnson, Jr., 92, of Charlottesville, VA went to heaven on Sunday, March 23, 2025, at the Center for Acute Hospice Care in Charlottesville. Born on July 26, 1932, in Charlottesville, Virginia to John Minor Johnson, Sr. and Ruby Scott Thomas. Minor ("Sonny") was raised in Belmont, and graduated from Lane High School in 1950, where he excelled in football, basketball, and baseball. He was voted "Best Looking Boy in the Senior Class" and was known as a "pool shark". He was drafted into the US Army and proudly served during the Korean Conflict. Minor worked for his family's company, Blue Ridge Dunbrick, which eventually became Allied Concrete, where he continued to work as head of the sales division until his retirement in 2004. Minor married the love of his life, Peggy Jane Pace, on July 30, 1956, in Charlottesville and with that, moved seamlessly into the role of father to Janet, and was blessed to gain a large and loving extended family, who became his own. He lived his whole life as a devoted and loving husband, father, cousin, uncle, friend and mentor. He was a man of steadfast and unwavering faith, abiding love, and abundant charm. He will be remembered by every single person who knew him as a pillar of strength and patience; of quiet humility, and the quintessential Southern gentleman. Minor is survived by his wife of nearly 69 years, Peggy, of Charlottesville, daughters Janet Johnson and Dana Kenworthy (Mike Plunkett), and his beloved granddaughter, Jocelyn Kenworthy, all of Charlottesville. He is also survived by his cousin/"brother", Jimmy Dettor (Peggy) of Charlottesville; cousins Sandra McGuire of Richmond, and Karen Viar of Charlottesville, nieces and nephews Linda Edwards (Gary) of Midlothian, VA, C.T. Pace (Diana) of Crozet, VA, Tammy Lackey of Oklahoma City, OK (Cameron), and a host of other cousins, nieces, and nephews too numerous to mention, but no less loved by him. Special love and thanks to friends, Karen Howard and Jada Howard, who have become part of our family, and Ron Boardman, his faithful friend and "brother-in-Christ". The family also wishes to extend deep thanks and appreciation to the providers and caregivers of Sentara Martha Jefferson Hospital's ICU and Palliative Care, and Hospice of the Piedmont's Center for Acute Care for their exceptional care of this truly exceptional man. "A great man does not seek applause or place; he seeks for truth; he seeks the road to happiness, and what he ascertains, he gives to others." ~Robert Green Ingersoll The family will receive friends at Hill & Wood Funeral Service on Thursday, March 27, 2025, from 5:00-7:00 PM. A service and celebration of life will be held Friday, March 28, 2025, at First Baptist Church, in Charlottesville at 10:00 AM. Interment with military honors will follow at Monticello Memory Gardens immediately following the service. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial contributions in Minor's name be made to Charlottesville-Albemarle Rescue Squad, Inc., 828 McIntire Rd., Charlottesville, VA 22902-4360 or Hospice of the Piedmont, Attn: Development Office, 675 Peter Jefferson Pkwy, Suite 300, Charlottesville, VA 22911. Condolences may be sent to the family on the tribute wall.