Herman Everett Johnson, Jr.

Born in Aurora, IL, he spent most of his life in Yorkville, IL until he and his wife Jean moved to North Carolina to be close to their youngest grandchildren. Herman was the youngest of 6 children, and he was an avid baseball player. That love for baseball carried over into adulthood and his enthusiastic cheering on of the New York Yankees. His favorite player was Mickey Mantle, hence why the number 7 was of great significance to him.

He was a son, brother, husband, uncle and a proud father and grandfather. For many years, he along with his wife Jean, were business owners, initially of Quality Home Painters with their dear friends Barry and Sue Kimes. Herman and Jean later opened Lefty’s Sports and built Court West Strip Mall in Plano where they expanded Lefty’s Sports. They were instrumental in bringing the first Subway west of Naperville, IL to Plano, IL. Herman and Jean also built and renovated many homes. After retiring in NC, he worked part-time for a commercial floral company delivering flowers to local florists.

Herman was preceded in death by his parents, Herman Everett Johnson, Sr. and Florence M. Johnson as well as his brothers and sisters. He is survived by his wife, Jean Renee (Merkel) Johnson, as well as his sons Chris Johnson and wife Jackie of Waters, MI, Luke Johnson and his wife Kelley of Clayton, NC and grandchildren to whom he was “Papa,” Jakob Lukas Johnson, Samantha Jean Johnson, Cole Thomas Johnson, and Scarlett Everly Johnson. He also had many special nieces and nephews.

The family will receive visitors at Nelson Funeral Home, 1617 N. Bridge Street, Yorkville, IL 60560 from 12:00-2:00 on Friday, October 9th immediately followed by a remembrance of life service, then a graveside service at Elmwood Cemetery, 471 N. Somonauk Street, Yorkville, IL 60560.

In lieu of flowers, and given Herman’s love for children and support of their faith development, please consider making a contribution in his honor to First Baptist Church Clayton. Type “Children’s Ministry” in the memo line: www.fbcclaytonnc.org