Colonel Edward James Johnson

Colonel Edward James Johnson passed away peacefully on February 5th, 2021, in Atlanta, Georgia at the age of 92. Edward is survived his children Barbara Annette Glick (David), Steven Edward Johnson, Linda Marie Crickenberger (Charles), and Christine Beth Thurley (Richard), his granddaughters Lila Alani Glick and Caitlin Renée Thurley, and many cousins, nieces, nephews, grandnieces, grandnephews, and other extended family members.

Edward James Johnson was born on November 22nd, 1928, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, to Edward Benjamin Roy and Christina Henrietta (Scholten) Johnson. He was the youngest of two children, and a beloved brother to his sister Lorraine (“Lori”) (Johnson) Morris. After graduating from Joliet (Illinois) High School in 1946, Edward went on to study at the Salvation Army Training College in Chicago, Illinois, and was commissioned as a Salvation Army Officer in 1949.

On September 5th, 1952, he married Lieutenant Annette Marie White in Battle Creek, Michigan, thus beginning a marriage that would last almost 68 years.

During his Salvation Army career spent offering his “Heart to God and Hand to Man,” Edward held a variety of appointments throughout the Midwest, East, and South. Among other appointments, he worked as a Corps Commanding Officer, was assigned duties within Divisional and Territorial Finance Departments, and was at times Divisional Commander, Territorial Business Administrator, and Territorial Chief Secretary.

Colonel Edward Johnson retired from his last appointment in Chicago, Illinois in November of 1993 and relocated with his wife Annette to Marietta, Georgia. After living in Marietta for over 20 years, in July of 2014 he and Annette moved to Atlanta, Georgia. Edward often said that, as a teenager, he had two consuming interests: music and accounting, and his goal was to become either a professional musician or a C.P.A. When reflecting back upon his 44 year career as a Salvation Army Officer who worked much of that time in Accounting, Finance, and Administration, while at the same time participating as an active Salvation Army Bandsman and Bandmaster for 70 years, the Lord had allowed him to fulfill both of his desires.

After his retirement, Edward continued to be an active Salvation Army Soldier, and continued to have a role in the Salvation Army Corps, in financial, spiritual, and musical areas. He also had a great passion for growing flowers, and until he and Annette moved to a retirement center, he spent many happy hours working in his flower gardens.

Colonel Edward Johnson was laid to rest at Westview Cemetery in Atlanta, Georgia on February 17th, 2021 in the presence of family and dear friends. A Memorial Service celebrating both Edward and Annette Johnson’s lives is pending (announcement of date and time forthcoming).

To honor Colonels Edward and Annette Johnson, and in memoriam, the family has set up a fund to which donations can be made in lieu of flowers.

https://www.atlantatemple.com/give/
(you may copy and paste the above link in your web browser or scroll to bottom of this page and click on the "Visit Website" button shown below "Memorial Contributions")

~ Scroll down, choose FUND “The Salvation Army, Atlanta Temple Corps”
~ Choose SUB FUND “Memorial Gift – Colonel Edward Johnson”
~ Donate desired amount and click on “SUBMIT!”

Finally, the family would like to thank both the staff of King’s Bridge Retirement Center staff and A.S. Turner and Sons for their care, dedication, support, and respect during this challenging time. To leave condolences and comments, please visit our Tribute Wall (click above) and type a message or add a photo for the family to enjoy in the safety of their homes as we weather this viral outbreak.