Name: Visitation for John Kustave Johnson Jr.
Start: 2018-01-06T16:30:00.000Z
End: 2018-01-06T18:00:00.000Z
Location: St. Edwards the Confessor

John "Spooky" Kustave Johnson, Jr., beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, teacher, coach, and friend, passed away on January 2nd at the age of 92; his loving wife of 63 years was at his side. He was born in New Orleans on November 15, 1925. A product of Holy Cross High School, he excelled in football and track. He attended Tulane until he served in the Navy on the aircraft carrier USS Ranger during WW2. He was often seen around town sporting his WW2 Veterans hat proudly. After graduating from Tulane, he earned a Masters' degree from Nicholls State University. He coached at Redemptorist High School and went on to become the head coach at Westwego Jr High School for 30 years. During that time, he founded the Jefferson Community Club Association for swimming and diving. He also taught adult education from 1966-2005. His passions other than family were golf and tennis. He started the Louisiana Coaches Golf Club, serving as President for three years, and later served on the Board of Governors for Shady Oaks Golf Club. As his love for tennis grew he created the Hotel Tennis Club and wrote articles for the "Match Point" tennis magazine. While he loved playing sports, his true joy was found in watching those he taught and coached live out his motto: "Happiness is the result of accomplishment." His coaching and teaching career spanned 55 years and he loved every moment of it. Spooky is survived by his wife, Belva Myers Johnson, three children: John David Johnson (Jackie), William Matthew Johnson (Sharon), and Terrie Johnson Farrand (Michael); three grandchildren: William Johnson, Jr. (Marie), Melissa Lavendar (Justin), and Sean Johnson (Melissa); five great grandchildren; sister Carolyn Johnson and several nieces and nephews. Additional beloved family members include Theron Powell, Christian Powell, Paul Nelson and Sherry Sewell. A lover of life, the perfect old fashioned, football, golf, tennis, and bad jokes, Spooky blessed and entertained those lucky enough to cross his path. Relatives and friends are invited to attend the Funeral Mass held at St. Edwards the Confessor, 4921 W Metairie Ave., Metairie., LA on Saturday, January 6, 2018, at noon. Visitation from 10:30 a.m. until service time.

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Published by The Times-Picayune from Jan. 4 to Jan. 7, 2018.

Memories and Condolences
for John Johnson

Sponsored by Neptune Society - New Orleans.

7 Entries

David Landry

August 24, 2025

My memory of Coach Johnson was when he coached me at Worley Jr High football, track, often i hear someone yell from the distance " Spoooooooookyy" and coach Johnson would break out looking for that individual how yelled his nick name: "Spooky"! He was a well versed, gentleman, coach , mentor, and simply a role model to me in life .. R. I. P. Coach Johnson

Catherine Tabor Hebert

January 9, 2018

Coach Johnson, you were a remarkable coach. You worked wonders with my husband, Rodney Hebert who was one of your students at Westwego Junior High. He had been in a very serious accident and attended school with a leg brace. You worked with him and gave him the confidence to work his leg and he was out of that brace months ahead of what the Dr. had said. Sadly Rodney also has passed away. But thank-you for the interest you took in your students. You were a fine man, teacher and fantastic person.. You will be missed..

Thelma Fos Kattan

January 8, 2018

We WERE NEIGHBORS in our teen years. I am losing all of my childhood friends We are both 92 years young. My heartfelt sympathies to Belva and family. When even
ing comes and shadows fall you will miss him more. Faith and Courage will get you through it. Thmlma Fos Kattan

January 7, 2018

God has given us a life span of 70 and 80 years if we are strong. May you celebrate a life well lived and loved by many. Psalms 90:10

Lana Sackett

January 6, 2018

We have lost one wonderful spirit that seems to have never met a stranger! I was blessed by his online jokes and was so sorry of such a loss! I am blessed to have met Spooky and I send my greatest sympathies to his loved ones for their loss.
I would like to think that he will probably be looking down from heaven with his golf club or tennis racket in his hand and thinking of his next joke or interesting fact to share ! Thank you Terrie for sharing the lost of your father with me.
Sincerely,,
Lana H Sackett Kenner La 70065

Donna and Mitchell McMickens

January 6, 2018

To the family of our dearest neighbor, "Spooky," you are in our Prayers. "Earth has No sorrow that Heaven can not heal.'

Mellany Kitchens

January 5, 2018

Belva, Larry and I were so saddened to hear of Spooky's passing, but we both know he led a wonderful life and was very blessed to have you by his side for 63 years! I hope you are well, and please know that our prayers are with you and your family. You will always be special to us. Mellany and Larry Kitchens

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