Edward Lee Johnson, 75, of Battle Creek, Michigan, went to be with the Lord on Sunday, June 26, 2016 at Bronson Battle Creek. He was born on May 18, 1941, in Natchez, Mississippi, the son of Jack Johnson and Josephine (Freedom) Johnson. At the age of 9 he moved from Mississippi to Detroit, Michigan.
Edward graduated from De Le Salle Collegiate High School formerly St. Joseph Catholic all boys school in Detroit, MI. After high school he joined the U.S. Air Force and served eight years actively. He was a faithful member of the Air National Guard and retired in 1992. He met the love of his life in Battle Creek in 1960 at a dance. They were married in 1961 and began their beautiful family. He received his Associates Degree in Food Science from KCC. He took food science courses at Michigan State University, where he fell in love with the university. He was a police officer in the Job Corp. He worked various other small management jobs and later went to Kellogg to work faithfully until his retirement in 1995. His final job was with the State of Michigan as a youth coordinator. He absolutely loved that job and so enjoyed caring for the kids and helping to get them on the right track. Early in his marriage Ed and Barbara were members of St. Philip Catholic Church. He was a member of Unity Missionary Baptist Church and had recently rededicated his life to Christ through Baptism.
Ed is survived by his wife of 55 years - Barbara (Shuford) Johnson; three daughters, Sheila (Kenneth) Blair, LaTrece Johnson, and Angela J. (James) Johnson-Patton; four grandchildren, Erika (Ricky) Davis, Najee Patton, Jazmyne Lee (Andrew) Tripplett, and Anthony Edward Johnson-Blair; great-grandchildren, Mikyah, Miles, Carter, Jael, Ty, Alivia, Judah, several step-grandchildren and aunt and uncle, John and Ardella Freedom; Godparents to two of their children, Donald J. (Mary Jane) Delorey. He was preceded in death by his parents and his great-grandson, Angel Davis.
Dearly known by his wife as Superman, he adored his family. He loved music of all kinds and had a nice collection. He sang in the choirs at Macedonia Baptist Church and at Washington Heights Methodist Church. He enjoyed running, softball, basketball, mowing the lawn, and riding his motorcycle. He was a father figure to many people within his community. He loved to help people and he knew just what to say to anybody who needed advice and guidance. He left behind his beloved dogs; Krissy, Precious and Mercedes. He had a heart of gold and he will be deeply missed by all those who knew him. His family hopes that as a community, we learn more and continue to fight cancer together.

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