Carl Andrew Johnson Jr.

Carl Andrew Johnson Jr., born on August 10, 1936, went home to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on January 24, 2026, at the age of 89.
Carl was born in Houston, Texas to Carl Sr. and Winifred Johnson and was the middle child between two sisters, Ann and Francis. His grandmother, Evie, referred to him as "the rose between two thorns," though his sisters disputed this characterization.
He graduated from Stephen F. Austin High School in 1955 where he proudly ran on the track team. Carl ran on the relay team for his high school and received numerous medals and competed in the state track meet. Carl would always be fond of his high school colors, green and white.
After graduating high school, Carl joined the U.S. Navy, where he served onboard the USS Columbus as a gunner's mate on an anti-aircraft battery. During his tenure aboard the USS Columbus, Carl sailed through the Panama Canal, across the International Date Line and the Equator. Carl sailed to Peru, Japan, and Australia aboard the USS Columbus. Very proud of his Navy service, Carl would wear a U.S. Navy cap for most of his later life.
Following his Navy service, Carl proposed to Eva Jo Oden on their second date, who initially said that she would not marry him. Despite this, Carl persisted and the two were married on May 18, 1963, and remained married for 62 years. They were married in Eva's grandmother's home in a small, private ceremony in Jacksonville, Texas. They initially settled in Jacksonville, where they had their first daughter, Carla. During this time, Carl learned to weld and found more lucrative opportunities in North Shore, Texas. Buying a home on Carl's GI Bill, the family thought they found a permanent home. Carl and Jo had their second daughter, Sharon, shortly after moving to Lake Jackson, Texas where Carl first found work as a pipeliner. After finishing his contract, Carl and his family moved back to East Texas to be closer to their family where he finally worked at Axelson in Longview, Texas.
First ordained as a deacon at Afton Grove Baptist Church in Jacksonville, Texas, Carl would continue serving as a deacon at Macedonia Baptist Church and Oakland Heights Baptist Church in Longview, Texas. He was later a member at Woodland Hills Baptist Church. Carl faithfully served many years in the jail ministry at Macedonia Baptist Church, and worked for over a decade in the Benevolence Ministry through Oakland Heights Baptist Church. He was always bold about sharing his faith with anyone, acquaintance or stranger. Carl was also a passionate singer and loved to sing gospel music in church.
Throughout his life, Carl was an avid fisherman and the proud owner of a Sidewinder Bass Boat. Carl enjoyed catching and cooking bass, crappie and catfish with his wife and family. Carl was also a sports enthusiast who especially enjoyed watching his grandchildren and great-grandchildren participate in school activities or sports they enjoyed.
Carl's memory lives on through his wife, Eva Jo, his two daughters and two sons-in-law, Carla Miller (Greg) of Dexter, Missouri and Sharon O'Quinn (Dennis) of Hallsville, Texas; his six grandchildren, Joshua Miller and Caleb Miller, Nathan O'Quinn, Katy Whitely, Sarah O'Quinn and Robyn Dalton; five great grandchildren, Tate, Grady, Maya, Tucker and Tripp Miller; and one sister, Francis Johnson of Tyler.
A visitation for Carl will be held at the Cammack Family Funeral Home at 1:00 p.m., Saturday, January 31, 2026 followed by a funeral service at 2:00 p.m. with military honors to follow.
In lieu of flowers, please make donations in Carl's memory to Woodland Hills Baptist Church.