Horace "Ronnie" Johnson, born March 30, 1948, in Samson, Alabama, passed away leaving behind a legacy of love, laughter, and cherished memories. He was the son of the late Clant and Mabel Johnson of Alabama. A husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, Ronnie cherished his family above all else.

Ronnie shared 47 beautiful years with his late wife, Linda Brown Johnson, before her passing in 2016. Together, they created a lifetime of treasured memories filled with family and love. Later, Ronnie was blessed with a second chance at love, spending eight wonderful years with Sandra Newell Johnson before her passing in 2024. He was also preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Maurice Johnson.

He leaves behind a loving family who will carry on his memory: daughters Casandra Gibson (Jim) and Millissa Blakley (Michael); he was lovingly known as Papa Ron by his grandchildren Logan (Tori), Colby (Nikki), Wesley (Madison), and Dalton (Darbie) and great-grandchildren Rory, Sintique, and his namesake, Ronni June. Also, his bonus daughters, Sharon J. Gaubert (Nolan), and Susan J. May (Earl), and bonus grands Kristen and Lauren Gaubert.  Ronnie is also survived by his sisters Mary Sue Ward, Shirley Clark (Bobby), Glinda Floyd, and Martha Wilson, along with many nieces and nephews.

Ronnie proudly served his country in the US Army from 1968 to 1971. During his service, he was a crew chief with the 236th Dust-Off crew in Vietnam, providing critical helicopter medivac support. His dedication to his country remained a point of deep pride throughout his life.

A man who embraced life's simple pleasures, Ronnie enjoyed fishing, cheering for his favorite NASCAR drivers and Alabama football, birdwatching, and tending to his flower garden. He will be remembered for his love of "piddling" outside, collecting all sorts of treasures, his endearing stubbornness, and his unwavering pride in his Army service. Above all, Papa Ron will be remembered for his love of family, which will continue to shine through the stories and memories shared by those who knew him best.

A celebration of Ronnie's life will be held graveside on Saturday, March 1, at 2:00 p.m. at Forest Lawn Memorial Gardens Cemetery in Lake City, FL. In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that donations be made to the Lake City VA Medical Center Hospice Dep