Fred E. Johnson, 89, died August 15, 2023, in the comfort of his home. He was born October 5, 1933, in Lexington, Tennessee, the son of Irving and Jennie Mae (Harmon) Johnson, youngest brother of Catherine and Thomas.

Fred, also known as “Skippy,” was raised by his grandmother, who called him “Tip”, and he loved her very much. He left Lexington at 14 and moved to Memphis, Tennessee, where he met and married the love of his life Johnnie (Lamb). Out of their union came five beautiful children: Madelyn (LuJean), Felecia, Fredrick “Dricky”, Elona, and Tamera.

Fred worked as a welder at Hauserman and later gained a promotion becoming the first black foreman during a time when racial tensions in the workplace were at an all-time high. After retiring from Hauserman, he became a bus driver for the Cleveland Heights-University Heights school system for 10 years.

He was a member of New Community Fellowship and he would walk to church on Sundays. He loved to go camping and fishing and he just enjoyed spending time with his family. His children, grandchildren, great- grandchildren, and great-great grandchildren were very important to him. He taught each of them to value family and to work a steady job.

He is preceded in death by his wife Johnnie, parents Irving and Jennie, siblings Catherine and Thomas, sons-in-law Sam White and Louis Tinker and grandson Nathan Brown.

He leaves to cherish his memory and legacy, children: Madelyn, Felecia, Fred, Elona and Tamera. Grandchildren: Sam Jr. (Vanetta), Stacey, LaMar, Tomisha (Arnold III), Julius, Stephanie (Robert Sr.), Louie, Skip, and Tamar (Michelle). Great-grandchildren: Kris, Alyce, Brianna, Christopher, Nate, Kayla, Ja’Shawn, Te’Ari, Gerard, Brooke, Morgan, Micah, Jaidyn, R.J., Robbie, Tariq, Hailey, T.J, Chaz, Chantelle, and Aurora. Great-great-grandchildren: Kayden and Bryce. Special cousins Joyce, Darren, Rhonda, David, Ronald, Selah, and Deaven.