Ben Johnson Jr.

Celebrating The Homegoing of Ben Johnson Jr. Born into Life April 13, 1930 - Born into Eternity April 1, 2008. Services Tuesday, April 8, 2008, Visitation 11:00 AM, Funeral 12:00 PM, Leak and Sons Funeral Chapels, 7838 S. Cottage Grove Ave., Chicago, IL 60619. Obituary: Ben Johnson Jr. was born April 13, 1930 to the late Ben and Annie Bell Johnson in Chicago, IL. He is preceded in death by his wife of 40 years, Willie Esther Johnson and his two brothers, Arthur Johnson and George Fulton. Ben accepted Jesus Christ at an early age and was baptized at Quinn Chapel A.M.E. Church of Chicago, IL. He grew up on the South Side of Chicago, where he lived until his passing. He attended Burke Elementary School and Dunbar Vocational High School, where he acquired the skill of Auto Mechanic. Working various jobs throughout his youth, he retired from Acme Steel after 28 years of service. Ben served in the United States Army from 1955 until he was honorably discharged in 1957. He was stationed during that time at Ft. Leonard Wood, Mo., Ft. Benning, GA., and Germany. Ben was a friend who remained true to the people in his life. He was meticulous in his dress and adamant in his ideas and opinions. He was an avid reader who enjoyed watching sports, listening to jazz on his albums and playing bid-wisk. He held court from his kitchen telephone. He looked forward to his annual visit with family and friends to Las Vegas, fishing outings and often reminisced about his travels and his adventure with Willie Ester and the Arkansas Social Club. After a year of illness, Ben was called home to glory on Tuesday, April 1, 2008. He leaves to cherish his memory: his sons - Michael (Marilyn) Johnson, Audray Harris, Duane (Gregis) Lucas; daughters - Linda Johnson, Cheryl Bullock, Karolyn Harrington, Deatrice and Kimberly Lucas; grandchildren - Michael (Veronica), Chantel (Manalito), Charlethia (Daytra); five great-grandchildren - Dominisha, Louis, Xavia, Chantel and Tiana; sister-in-law - Ruby Hardison; aunt - Karolyn Cyrus; former wife - Elizabeth Johnson; longtime friends - William 'Merph' Hopper, Robert Pickens, Palmer Barney, Lawrence Hughes, Erma Jean Lucas and a host of friends and relatives too numerous to mention. Pallbearers: Manalito Jones, Duane Lucas, Xavia Vaughn, Louis Vaughn, Audray Harris, Daytra Calligan. Honorary Pallbearers: Michael Johnson, William Hopper, Joe Lyles, Palmer Barney, Russell Sanders, Robert Pickens. Order of Service: Organ Prelude - Chapel Musician; Processional - Family; Invocation - Minister; Scripture - Psalm 23; Prayer - Minister; Solo - Charlethia Vaughn; Acknowledgement of Cards and Telegrams - Cheryl Bullock; Remarks - Family & Friends; Obituary (Read Silently); Solo - TBA; Eulogy - Chapel Minister; Benediction; Recessional. Interment: Lincoln Cemetery, 12300 South Kedzie, Chicago, Illinois. Arrangements by Leak and Sons Funeral Chapels.