Carl E. Johnson

Carl E. Johnson, age 83, of Gulfport, passed away Monday, December 19, 2011 in Gulfport. Carl spent his young years as a farm boy in South Dakota with his six sisters and three brothers and his parents who immigrated from Norway. In his early adult years he concentrated on raising his own family and he enjoyed work as a heavy machine operator and milk man in the freezing cold of South Dakota. Upon joining U.S. Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 74 he landed in Vietnam for his first tour on August 17, 1969, his birthday, leaving his newly moved family in the face of Camille. He served a total of two tours in Vietnam, being awarded the National Defense Service Medal, Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry, Navy Unit Commendation Ribbon, Vietnam Service Medal and Vietnam Campaign Medal. His service to his country was a real source of pride to him. Upon his discharge, he returned to the Mississippi Gulf coast to begin his life as a Southerner, which he became quite proficient at. He continued his heavy machine operator career at first and then enrolled in Hotel Manager course at MGCCC where he earned his Associates degree in Hotel-Motel Operations. His hotel-motel career was a long term association with the Holiday Inn Franchise of the Mississippi Gulf coast which he served in all capacities. The last 25 years of his time with the company was as General Manager of the Holiday Inn Gulfport Beachfront. His long term relationship with his employees and co-workers and other hoteliers brought him much joy and satisfaction. He taught and he learned from each of them in his own quiet way. Carl was a member and past president of the Mississippi Restaurant and Hotel Association with membership in the State Association. Carl enjoyed spending time with his loving family, wood working and gardening, bird tending and taking care of his turtles that came when he whistled for them. He was preceded in death by his parents, Jon and Anna Johnson; a grandchild, Naomi Johnson; half-sisters, Olga, Jenne, Ella and Anna; and brothers, Emile, Johnnie and Oscar Laverne. Carl is survived by his wife, Janal Johnson of Gulfport; his children, Gary Johnson (Sheila) of South Dakota, Karla Roberts (Kevin) of Florida, Kevin Johnson (Lea) of Gulfport, Veronica Walker, of Gulfport; eight grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren, with one on the way and many nieces and nephews; a sister, Joyce Hubbard, of MN; and sister-in-law, Chris Johnson of South Dakota. The funeral service is Thursday, December 22, 2011 at 2:00 p.m. at Bradford-O’Keefe Funeral Home, 15th Street, Gulfport where friends may visit beginning at 12 noon. Interment will follow at Floral Hills Memorial Gardens. View and sign register book at www.bradfordokeefe.com