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null JOHNSON Obituary
CHRISTOPHER VAN
Gainesville - Christopher Van Johnson, "Chris", a lifetime resident of Gainesville, Florida went to be with his Lord and Savior Wednesday, January 30, 2013. He was born August 26, 1946 to James O. and Mary M. Williams Johnson. A graduate of Gainesville High School Class of 1965, he was captain of the football team and also played baseball. He continued his education and graduated from Santa Fe Community College and the FBI National Academy in Quantico, VA. Mr. Johnson began his career at Gainesville Boys Club on Waldo Road and touched many young lives. He later entered into law enforcement and worked five years for the Alachua County Sheriff's Office and The State Attorney's Office in the 8th Judicial Circuit. After retirement, he served as Director of Safety/ Security for AGH and Manager of Security for Shands Health Care and on April 30, 2010, after seventeen years of service, he retired for the second time.
He was preceded in death by his parents and brothers, James O. Johnson, Jr. and Leonard C. Johnson.
He is survived by his wife of 25 years, Mary Ellen Haines Johnson; daughter, Robin Lynn Brown (Jeremy) of High Springs; son, James Marc Johnson of Las Vegas; stepson, Byron Albert Bush of Gainesville; sisters, Sandy Gail Johnson of Flagler Beach and Harriett Elizabeth "Suzie" Pettry of New Port Richie; brother, Wayne C. Johnson of Gainesville; grandsons, Tyler B. Bush, Jarrett D. Brown, Ryan Christopher Brown and Conner R. Brown; and mother of his children, Mary Frances "Fran" Johnson.
Funeral Services will be held on Monday, February 4, 2013 at 10:00 a.m. at Oak Park Baptist Church, 4610 SW Archer Road, Gainesville, with Rev. Dr. Danny Austin and Skip Haymans officiating. Interment will follow in Memorial Park East, 3700 SE Hawthorne Road. The family will receive friends Sunday, February 3, 2013, from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. at WILLIAMS-THOMAS FUNERAL HOME WESTAREA, 823 NW 143rd Street.
Those who wish may make memorials to Oak Park Baptist Church Building Fund, 4610 SW Archer Road, Gainesville, FL 32608, in his memory.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION
WILLIAMS-THOMAS WESTAREA
(352) 376-7556
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories & Condolences
Bob Ream
February 23, 2013
You had a good life my friend.
Sheila McDowell
February 8, 2013
So sorry to hear about Chris' passing. I worked with him at the State Attorney's Office many years ago. He will be missed by all who knew him. May god's blessings be with you all.
February 8, 2013
Kept us safe at AGH. Good man.
Thanks Chris.
Steven Reid, M.D.
Connie Branch Smith
February 6, 2013
My thoughts and prayers are with the Johnson family. My memories of Chris are so wonderful. They are mixed with memories of my brother Eugene Branch whom we lost in 2004. God Bless.
Chris and his son Marc, January 2013
Cyndy Newsome
February 5, 2013
Last year I was blessed to get to know this wonderful family. They have been so good to me and my children. Chris was so kind and welcoming to all of us and made us feel a part of the family. I only wish we'd had more time with him. He was a wonderful man and will be greatly missed.
Paige Bush
February 5, 2013
Thank you for being a WONDERFUL PAPA to Tyler. You will always be loved & missed.
February 3, 2013
My deepest sympathies to the Johnson family.Chris was a very nice man and very well liked. I hope you all cherish the fond memories of Chris. He will be missed. Sincerely, Wayne Taylor
February 3, 2013
Psalm 147: 3-5 He heals the broken in heart, and binds up their wounds. He tells the number of the stars, He calls them all by their names. Great is our Lord, and of great power: His understanding is infinite.
Our prayers and thoughts are with you, may God bless and surround all of you with His love. Vance and Betty(Leavitt) Eller.
February 3, 2013
Our deepest sympathy to the family of Chris Johnson.You are all in our hearts and prayers.Howard and Lucille Newsome
John Grver
February 3, 2013
Mary Ellen my prayers go out to you and your family. I have many memories of Chris at GHS. May God keep you in his love and grace in this your time of sorrow
Joyce Browning
February 3, 2013
I will always remember Chris and his smiling face. He was a great person to know and work with. He was loved by our AGH family. You will be missed by many. God Bless
Donald C. Johnson Sr.
February 3, 2013
Chris fought a gallant fight and earned the right to sit next to the Master. I pray that the Master wraps his mighty arms around the family and lets the healing process begin...I will miss you Chris. You will always be in my heart in a very special place.
linda vlacos
February 3, 2013
Mary Ellen I am so sorry for your loss. Chris will be missed by all and I am glad I got to know him. God bless you and your family.
February 3, 2013
Mary Ellen and family,
My love and prayers are with you thru this difficult time.
Psalm 116:15 Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints.
May Chris finally rest with no more pain!
May you, Nary Ellen, also rest and find comfort in the Lord.
Love, Erlene
Barbara & Bill Hyder
February 2, 2013
Mary Ellen and Family, May God hold you all close in His arms during this hard time. Chris will be missed by all and he is in Gods arms now and not suffering any longer and we are happy for that. We love ya'll.
February 2, 2013
Rest in peace Chris. It was an honor to know you. Jack Eckdahl
February 2, 2013
Mary Ellen, I am so very sorry to hear of your loss. May God bless and comfort you and the entire family.
Janet Kunkle Koons
Lynda Benton-Davis
February 2, 2013
Mary Ellen and family - so sorry to hear about your loss. Though I haven't seen you in many years, I will always remember what a nice young man Chris was. My deepest sympathy and prayers for God's grace to keep you.
Ralph Paige
February 2, 2013
You were a true gentleman and I am proud to have known you at GHS. God's bide my friend. May The Lord bless and keep you, and give you everlasting peace.
Look at that smile!!
Mary Sue Rister
February 2, 2013
Mary Ellen and family,
I pray that you will find comfort in the pleasure, honor and blessing of having shared much of your life with Chris. He fought a long and courageous battle and I admire the strength he showed in doing so. He was a true gentleman and I will forever hold his memory in the "happy" corner of my heart. May God give you the strength you and comfort that you need, and the peace that you deserve.
Linda Leavitt
February 2, 2013
We are so very sorry for your loss. May you find peace in knowing that Chris is now at peace and in no pain. God bless you all. Sincerely Buddy and Linda Leavitt Melrose, Fl
Janet Russell (Richey)
February 2, 2013
My fondest memories of Chris is when he lived down the road from my family. Back in those days you could run all over the neighborhood and not worry about anything. We played all kinds of sports, hiding go seek. Went to school together, worked together. He was just a good person to be around. My thoughts and prayers are with the family at this time.
February 2, 2013
Chris was a wonderful person who will be truly missed. May God comfort the entire family at this time.
Annabelle(Duncan)Hutcheson
Beverly Thompson Calix
February 2, 2013
Rest in Peace my childhood friend. You are home with the Lord Jesus Christ now and in no pain or suffering. We will miss you but we will cherish our fond memories of you forever. What a joy for you!
Susan Thorley Schauer
February 2, 2013
In loving memory of a wonderful person. We will love you and miss you always.
Barbara Eller (Leavitt)
February 2, 2013
May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.
John Webb
February 2, 2013
It has been a lot of years but Chris was always very good to me growing up. From the time he dated my cousin Beverly while at GHS & playing football to his time at the Boys Club and then at the State Attorney's office, every time I would see Chris around town, he was the same Chris. A great mentor to me growing up. My thoughts and prayers are with Chris' Family.
God Bless
Mary Hesse and Frances Williams
February 2, 2013
Crossing the Bar
Sunset and evening star,
And one clear call for me!
And may there be no moaning of the bar,
When I put out to sea,
But such a tide as moving seems asleep,
Too full for sound and foam,
When that which drew from out the boundless deep
Turns again home.
Twilight and evening bell,
And after that the dark!
And may there be no sadness of farewell,
When I embark;
For tho' from out our bourne of Time and Place
The flood may bear me far,
I hope to see my Pilot face to face
When I have crost the bar.
By Alfred, Lord Tennyson
The Poetry Foundation
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