Extracted from The Virginian-Pilot (Norfolk, VA)
Sunday, June 20, 2004

HENRY M. JOHNSON

Henry Monroe Johnson died June 17, 2004, 6:45 p.m. at the age of 86. Henry was born March 10, 1918, of Luther and Lessie Johnson and was one of 12 brothers and sisters who all have preceded his death. He was a devout member of First Baptist Church and was a U.S. Army World War II veteran.

Henry lived and grew up in Benson, N.C., and moved to Chesapeake in 1946 where Henry was employed at Nu Car Carriers delivering Fords from the Norfolk plant to dealerships all up and down the eastern seaboard.

Henry retired (the first time) and went into the service station business in the early 70s at the age of 52, establishing, over the next decade, 18 tire and automotive stores named Henry Johnson Tire Inc. He then sold his business in 1986 and retired to Naples, Fla. In 1998 he sold his stores to his son Rick Johnson and retired for the last time (third time), at the young age of 80.

Henry is survived by his wife of 62 years, Violet Beasley Johnson. She was a registered nurse and an accomplished seamstress. She worked at several hospitals in the Norfolk area and then went to work with her husband at the service station. She helped run both businesses in Norfolk and then in Naples.

Henry is survived by two children: daughter, Gloria Jean Thompson living in Chesapeake as a self-employed CPA and son, Richard A. Johnson, also self-employed and owner of seven automotive and tire stores in Naples and Fort Myers, Fla. Henry and Violet also have four grandchildren: two sons, David and Greg Thompson by their daughter and two by their son, Rick Jr. and Johnny Johnson.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend his visitation Monday from 6 to 8 p.m. at Fuller Funeral Home, Naples, and Wednesday from 7 to 9 p.m. at Rose and Graham Funeral Home, Benson, N.C. A funeral will be held Thursday at 11 a.m. at the Rose and Graham Funeral Home. As an expression of sympathy, flowers are deeply appreciated or contributions made, in his memory, to the American Heart Association.