Joseph Nathan Johnson

Joseph “Joe” N. Johnson, age 75, of Holly Lake Ranch, passed away on September 15, 2017, at a Tyler hospital. Joe’s family will hold a memorial gathering to celebrate his life at Holly Tree Chapel in Holly Lake Ranch on Saturday, September 30th, 2017 from 11:00 AM until 12:00 PM, a luncheon will start at 12:00 PM.

Joe was born in Idabel, Oklahoma on February 2, 1942, to Joseph Athan Johnson, and Helen Marie Epperson Johnson Arrington. He was a retired machinist and salesman. He was a veteran of the U.S. Army, serving three years in Germany during the Vietnam War. Joe was an avid golfer, retiring to Holly Lake Ranch to be closer to the links, where he scored a hole-in-one, or maybe two. He also enjoyed days spent hunting and fishing in the country, or an evening at the bowling alley. He lived by the motto “if you were going to do something, do it right.” He liked people to believe that he was tough, but he was really a teddy bear with a huge heart. He seemed to always find someone he knew whenever he was out, and always had a joke for them, albeit a bad one most of the time.

He is survived by his loving wife, Mary (Smith) Johnson of Holly Lake Ranch; his mother, Helen Marie Arrington of Terrell; daughters, Cynthia Biggs of Dallas, Tina Johnson of Austin; brothers, Gary Johnson of Idabel, OK., Jack Arrington and wife Lael of Columbia, SC.; sister, Laura Ferri of Overland Park, KS.; grandchildren, Kristen Biggs of Longview, Alan Biggs and wife Jordan of Houston, and his first great-grandson is due in October; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, extended family and a host of friends.

Joe was preceded in death by his father; and step-father, Jim Arrington.

The family would appreciate donations in lieu of flowers to the American Kidney Foundation or American Diabetes Foundation in Joe’s memory.