Nov. 6, 1930 – June 16, 2018

 

NATCHEZ — Requiem Eucharist services for Charles LaPierre Johnson, 87, who died Saturday, June 16, 2018, peacefully at his residence surrounded by his loved ones, will be 11 a.m. Wednesday at Trinity Episcopal Church with the Rev. Kenneth Ritter officiating.

Visitation will be from 10 a.m. until service time Wednesday at the church.

Arrangements are under the direction of Laird Funeral Home.

Mr. Johnson was born on Nov. 6, 1930, in Dallas, the son of William Frederick Johnson and Lillian Wilson Johnson, who later moved to Vidalia.

After graduation from Vidalia High School, Mr. Johnson enrolled in Louisiana State University where he excelled in track and field.  He was a member of Delta Kappa Epsilon Fraternity.  After graduation from LSU, he served in the U.S. Air Force.

Returning to Vidalia in 1956, Mr. Johnson organized his construction business, Concordia Contracting, which he operated for 61 years.  He also raised Charolais cattle, an avocation he enjoyed in his later years.  The Charolais Association of Texas presented him the Hall of Excellence Award in 2014.

A charter member of the First Federal Savings and Loan Company, later Uni-Fed, he served on the board of directors.  He was also a charter member of the Vidalia Lions Club, serving as president during his 60 years of attendance.  A long-time member of the Natchez Homebuilders Association, he was president for one term.

Active in Trinity Episcopal Church in Natchez, Mr. Johnson was a member of the church vestry for a number of terms.

An LSU fan and a member of the L (Letterman) Club, he was also an avid golfer who played regularly at

Belwood and Beau Pre Country Clubs.

Mr. Johnson was preceded in death by his parents; twin siblings, Sally Johnson Horton and William Alexander Johnson; and two children, Charles L. Johnson Jr. and Carla Ann Johnson Lea.

Survivors include his wife of 62 years, Carla Collier Johnson; two children, Byron Johnson Edgecombe and husband, Kent, and William Carl Johnson and wife, Susan; 10 grandchildren, Elise Jones and husband, Eric, Sean Marshall and wife, Whitney, Collier Lea and fiancée, Emily Williams, Brittany A. Johnson, Anna Beth Johnson, Will Edgecombe and wife, Andrea, Craig Edgecombe, Ann Wilson Edgecombe, Payton Johnson and Frederick Johnson, and five great- grandchildren.

Honorary pallbearers will be Hayden Kaiser, Edward Eidt, Ralph Shields III, Carl Voss, Charles Caldwell, and golfers who played with him through the years.

Memorials may be made to Trinity Episcopal Church, 305 S. Commerce Street, Natchez, MS 39120

or to a charity of choice.

On-line condolences may be sent to the family at lairdfh.com.