In Memory Of
Peter Johnson
1934
2020
Peter Johnson
February 6, 1934 — December 14, 2020
Peter Johnson was our family patriarch, a man of faith, an unapologetic upholder of moral principle, a respected and humble man, a soldier. Now, we must honor him. All that Peter Johnson represented, all that he was and all that he lived, is now left in each of us. We are and will continue his legacy.
Peter Johnson, son of Wesley and Elizabeth Fields Johnson, passed on December 14th, 2020. His siblings include Wesley Jr., James (Jimmy), George, Benjamin (Frank), Nick (Huri Oscar), Daniel, James, Mary, Ruth, and Martha. Peter is survived by three daughters, eleven grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren, two sisters, and one brother.
From his birth in Springhill, Alabama on February 6th, 1934, Peter's determined and fierce spirit would lead him to many successes and help him overcome many challenges. He joined the Army during the Korean War because his nation needed unbending men of courage. When Peter returned from the war, he completed his high school education and began taking classes at a Spaulding Business College in Mobile, Alabama. He also found time to propose to his high school sweetheart and neighbor Della McNeir, whom he would loyally remain married to for more than 50 years.
Peter and Della initially settled in their hometown of Mobile, Alabama where Juanita and Marion were born. In 1960, looking for better opportunities, Peter packed up the family and moved to Chattanooga, Tennessee. In Chattanooga, Peter kept his streak alive, adding two more girls to the Johnson household - Patricia and Janice.
Never being one to let grass grow under his feet, after a few years in Chattanooga, Peter turned his attention west. New opportunities were found for Peter, his wife, and four young girls, in a move to Denver, Colorado in 1969. After arriving in Denver, Peter started his career as a driver for Roadway Express, a job that he did with pride for many years.
Peter and Della made a bold entrepreneurial gamble in 1991 by opening their own childcare center, "For Kids Only Connection". This gamble paid off and changed the course of their lives, and the lives of many others. While Della provided the "good, down home cooking and lots of love" Peter provided the tough love discipline and male role model leadership.
He was the operational manager who kept the center's nuts and bolts in order. He was often the driver to deliver children home when overwhelmed mothers couldn't make it on time to pick up their children. Over the years, they educated and changed the course of life for hundreds of children, some who grew up to be community leaders, pastors, lawyers, athletes, educators, and business people. Always willing to lend a helping hand, Peter was the epitome of what Christianity represented in Matthew 7:12 - "So in everything, do unto others as you would have them do unto you."
He was not a man of many words, but one of action. Action that included being a respected deacon at the Park Hill SDA Church, motivating his family to achieve educational, spiritual, and financial goals. He always wanted the best for his family and would extend himself to ensure that every opportunity was provided.
However, it was the simple things that this "man's man" enjoyed most - he loved a good western; he was a huge fan of Clint Eastwood western's as well as John Wayne's. He would proudly sport his Cowboy hat and boots when heading to church or other special occasions. He enjoyed firing up the family barbeque grill, winning the domino championship over his sons-in-laws after the family holiday dinners, watching a WrestleMania match just for the fun of it, attending all his children's and grandchildren's activities, and fixing up the house. Peter was the anchor on which so many depended. He once said, "If you have one or two true friends in life, then you are a lucky person."
Peter's loyalty to others brought him true lifelong friends that included: George and Clotile Massie, Mr. Alexander, Bernice Copeland, Mike Anderson, the Bookhardt family, and Sam Jr. McNeir.
**Due to Health restrictions / orders, Services are by family invitation only**
To share a memory of Peter or to send his family a condolence message, please use the Share Memories options.
Peter Johnson, son of Wesley and Elizabeth Fields Johnson, passed on December 14th, 2020. His siblings include Wesley Jr., James (Jimmy), George, Benjamin (Frank), Nick (Huri Oscar), Daniel, James, Mary, Ruth, and Martha. Peter is survived by three daughters, eleven grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren, two sisters, and one brother.
From his birth in Springhill, Alabama on February 6th, 1934, Peter's determined and fierce spirit would lead him to many successes and help him overcome many challenges. He joined the Army during the Korean War because his nation needed unbending men of courage. When Peter returned from the war, he completed his high school education and began taking classes at a Spaulding Business College in Mobile, Alabama. He also found time to propose to his high school sweetheart and neighbor Della McNeir, whom he would loyally remain married to for more than 50 years.
Peter and Della initially settled in their hometown of Mobile, Alabama where Juanita and Marion were born. In 1960, looking for better opportunities, Peter packed up the family and moved to Chattanooga, Tennessee. In Chattanooga, Peter kept his streak alive, adding two more girls to the Johnson household - Patricia and Janice.
Never being one to let grass grow under his feet, after a few years in Chattanooga, Peter turned his attention west. New opportunities were found for Peter, his wife, and four young girls, in a move to Denver, Colorado in 1969. After arriving in Denver, Peter started his career as a driver for Roadway Express, a job that he did with pride for many years.
Peter and Della made a bold entrepreneurial gamble in 1991 by opening their own childcare center, "For Kids Only Connection". This gamble paid off and changed the course of their lives, and the lives of many others. While Della provided the "good, down home cooking and lots of love" Peter provided the tough love discipline and male role model leadership.
He was the operational manager who kept the center's nuts and bolts in order. He was often the driver to deliver children home when overwhelmed mothers couldn't make it on time to pick up their children. Over the years, they educated and changed the course of life for hundreds of children, some who grew up to be community leaders, pastors, lawyers, athletes, educators, and business people. Always willing to lend a helping hand, Peter was the epitome of what Christianity represented in Matthew 7:12 - "So in everything, do unto others as you would have them do unto you."
He was not a man of many words, but one of action. Action that included being a respected deacon at the Park Hill SDA Church, motivating his family to achieve educational, spiritual, and financial goals. He always wanted the best for his family and would extend himself to ensure that every opportunity was provided.
However, it was the simple things that this "man's man" enjoyed most - he loved a good western; he was a huge fan of Clint Eastwood western's as well as John Wayne's. He would proudly sport his Cowboy hat and boots when heading to church or other special occasions. He enjoyed firing up the family barbeque grill, winning the domino championship over his sons-in-laws after the family holiday dinners, watching a WrestleMania match just for the fun of it, attending all his children's and grandchildren's activities, and fixing up the house. Peter was the anchor on which so many depended. He once said, "If you have one or two true friends in life, then you are a lucky person."
Peter's loyalty to others brought him true lifelong friends that included: George and Clotile Massie, Mr. Alexander, Bernice Copeland, Mike Anderson, the Bookhardt family, and Sam Jr. McNeir.
**Due to Health restrictions / orders, Services are by family invitation only**
To share a memory of Peter or to send his family a condolence message, please use the Share Memories options.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Peter Johnson, please visit our flower store.
Guestbook
Visits: 9
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the
Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Service map data © OpenStreetMap contributors