Mr. Victor Johnson

In the early morning of October 22, 2022, the Lord called Victor Johnson from labor to rest, at Covenant Harrison Hospital, at the age of 74 years. Victor was the oldest child born to Osborne Johnson and Gladys (Neuben) Johnson Pantilenac. He was born at St Mary’s Hospital, Saginaw, Michigan on May 3, 1948. Victor received his elementary and junior high school education in Saginaw. He loved sports and it was only when he began attending Saginaw High that his God-given talents were most recognized; he was an All-Around Athlete while attending High School. He played football, basketball, and ran track. Quite often he was acknowledged in the newspaper as a star athlete. Victor graduated in 1966 and received an Athletic Scholarship to play basketball at Northwood University. While there, he also played football and it was during a game that his back was injured to the point he required surgery. Even though the surgery was a success, he lost his scholarship, hence with no way for additional funding or assistance, he had to leave. He then moved to Detroit where he was employed by Michigan Consolidated Gas Company. After several years of working for the gas company he decided to take a new career path. He applied and was accepted into the National Apprenticeship Program for the trade of electrician. It was a four-year program; he began in 1973 and successfully completed the Program on September 5, 1977. As a member of Local #557, he was the first minority to complete this Program. Shortly after graduating, he took a test and became a Licensed Electrical Journeyman. This license allowed him to be recognized as a Journeyman Electrician ANYWHERE there was an IBEW Hall in or out of the US. Due to the decrease in jobs for union contracts in Michigan in the early 1980’s, many electricians “hit the road” and sought work in other states. One of Victor’s first out- of- state jobs was in Miami, FL where he worked for over a year wiring what is now known as their Metro-Rail System. Afterwards, he traveled to Buffalo, NY, Rochester, NY, Elizabeth City, NJ and then finally back in Michigan where he worked in Ann Arbor, Wixom and then home. One of his last jobs was working as Foreman for a portion of the wiring conducted during the construction of the Freeland Prison, Freeland, MI. All-in-all, Victor worked as a Construction Journeyman Electrician for about 17 years. In 1990, he embarked on another new path where he became an Electrical Inspector for the State of Michigan. Despite having to take a significant pay cut he took this job in order to be closer to his family. He worked diligently until his retirement in December 2010. Victor was the proud and dutiful member of Bethel AME Church, Saginaw, MI where he served as a member of the Courtesy Committee, Bus Ministry, Security Guard Committee, and the Men of Bethel. Anytime he was asked, if he was available to assist in any way, he was there not only on time but, before time. He was a very timely person and ALWAYS valued “time”. He believed in the saying, “Poor planning on your part does not constitute an emergency on my part.” His motto alluded to the fact that, no matter what task you’re working on, it may not necessarily be more important than any other task, you should always plan your time properly. Many members of Bethel will always remember his robust laugh and warm smile as he greeted many members and friends as they came to worship. Anyone who knew ANYTHING about Victor, knew about his GREAT LOVE for fishing. He loved to be on his boat, in the great “outdoors” enjoying “mother nature”. That was another sport that he was good at and one of the proudest moments of his life was when he had the opportunity to teach his granddaughter Sanaa, at age 10, how to cast a rod. He was also a very serious and competitive bowler; he possessed at least 3 rings for having bowled a “perfect game”. He was a “perfectionist”. He did everything to the best of his ability or not at all. Victor was the proud and loving father of 3 daughters, Michelle (Johnnie) Harris- Westland, MI., Shalon Johnson- Dallas, GA and Valecia Johnson- Norristown, PA., who survive him. Also, who survives and cherished him are his wife of 47.5 years: Stella Y. Johnson, grandchildren, Brittany and Jordan Harris of Westland, MI, Sanaa Johnson-Gowdy-of Dallas, GA and Nahla Johnson of Norristown, PA. and 3 great-grandchildren. Victor’s family also includes his aunt- Barbara Taylor- Charlotte, N.C., two special nieces- Detonya Clark-Detroit, MI and Nicole Foxx- Grand Rapids, MI, three nephews, two great-nieces and two great-nephews, several cousins, along with special cousins, Phyllis Neuben and Ronda Tweedale of Rockford, MI, Freddy and Preston Johnson, a special uncle, Donald Johnson and several special friends – James (“Buzzy”) & Ola McMillon, Haroland & Rita Cheek, Donald BeBardelaben, Wilbert & Alois Smith, Gerri & Craig Ellis, Ernest Bradley, Leon Fantroy, Hugh Williams and John Boles; also special friends and attentive neighbors- Calvin and Delores Williams, Nolan and Pam King. Victor was preceded in death by his father, Osborne S. Johnson (bka-“Jr. Johnson), his mother- Gladys (Neuben) Pantilenac, 2 sisters Victoria (Johnson) Washington and Deborah Clayton, a special Aunt Agnes Johnson (bka-Aunt Aggie),Uncle Ernest Johnson, Uncle Kenny Johnson, Uncle Sylvester Johnson, Aunt Lillian Long, Uncle Ronald Johnson, and his beloved grandmother Callie (Bond) Jackson (bka -Mama Dear), and great-aunt, Sabre Couch. Family Hour will take place at 10:00 AM Saturday, November 5, 2022, at Evans & Browne's Funeral Home, 441 North Jefferson Avenue, Saginaw, Michigan 48607. Rev. Dr. Dennis Laffoon will officate with a memorial service commencing at 11:30 AM.

Mr. Victor Johnson

May 3, 1948 - October 22, 2022