DouglasNow.com joins the Coffee County community in mourning the passing of long-time parks and recreation department head Roger Johnson.
Mr. Johnson was a warm-hearted, much loved and admired figure for countless numbers of youth during his time with the recreation department and will be missed deeply.
DouglasNow.com extends condolences to the Johnson family.
Following is his obituary from Sims Funeral Home:
Roger C. Johnson, Jr., age 61 of Douglas, passed away Saturday, November 22, 2014, at Tift Regional Medical Center following a brief illness. Mr. Johnson was born on March 17, 1953, in Douglas to the late Roger C. Johnson, Sr. and Edith Solomon Johnson.
Roger grew up on South Columbia Avenue, in the center of the city, during a more carefree time, exploring the parks and walking to school. He grew to love the city of Douglas and the surrounding community. Roger loved sports and was a Trojan football player. After receiving his Recreation Degree at Georgia Southern University, he became an integral part of athletics in Douglas and across the State of Georgia.
Mr. Johnson was a member of First Baptist Church of Douglas, employed as Department Head for the City of Douglas-Coffee County Parks and Recreation, a former member of the Exchange Club, and 30 year active member of the Georgia Parks and Recreation Association.
Roger received numerous distinguished awards throughout his years of service at the state level. Some of these include the James A. Collay Distinguished Professional Award, which is the highest award in GRPA at the district level, the Parks and Recreation Professional Award, and, under his tenure as director, the department received the Georgia Professional Park Society Agency Award several times. Mr. Johnson also received the Parks and Recreation Service Award and served on the GRPA Board of Trustees. Numerous times, he served as the State Athletic Committee Representative as well as the District 2 Chairman of the Athletic Committee for GRPA.
Survivors include his wife, Cindy Malphus Johnson; daughter, Jennifer Johnson and Chad Shrouder; two sons, Jordan L. Johnson and Jacob L. Johnson and one grandchild, Jayla Edylaine Shrouder, all of Douglas; sub-parents, Joe and Maudine Wright of Douglas; siblings Larry and Shirley Johnson, Ronald and Cindy Johnson, both of Monroe, Vicky and Walter Huckaby, and Kay Erickson, both of Douglas, Chris Malphus of Willacoochee, and Beckey E. Malphus of Thomasville, as well as many nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be held Monday, November 24, 2014, from 6 to 9 p.m. at Sims Funeral Home. Funeral Services will be held on Tuesday, November 25, 2014, at 11 a.m. at First Baptist Church with Rev. Shep Johnson officiating, Deacon Joe Day delivering the eulogy, Teresa Holliday presenting a special reading, and Chuck Sims delivering special stories.
Music director B. J. Holliday will lead the congregation in “Old Rugged Cross” and “Amazing Grace” with Marsha Gilliard accompanying at the piano. During the prelude and postlude a slide show will be presented by Kevin Tatum . Active pallbearers arere Lorenzo Johnson, Willis Crocket, George Raymond Hill, Ronnie Bullock, Donnie Browning, Britt Leverette, Adrian Wilkerson, and Landy Gomez. Honorary pallbearers are Marcus Plymale, Walter Huckaby, Jackie Wilson, James and Judy Dennis, Charlie Davis, Donna and Ray Day, Tom Williams, Ronnie Wood, Dina Leverette, Joe Pope, all city department heads, all employees of Douglas-Coffee County Parks and Recreation Department, Terrell Jacobs, city commissioners, Johnny Lee Roper, Connie and Mike Cation and Claretha Paulk. Interment will follow at the Douglas City Cemetery.
Sims Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
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