Camden People - Leon Johnson

LEON J. JOHNSON was born on November 1, 1935 in Camden to William E. Johnson Sr. and his wife, the former Marie Deegan. His father was born in Tennessee, his mother was born in Pennsylvania. The April 1930 Census shows the family living at 617 Godfrey Avenue in Philadelphia, where William E. Johnson was employed as a street car operator. Besides William and Marie Johnson, the family also included one-month old William Jr., an aunt, Margaret McManus and a cousin, James McManus. Another son, Thomas W. was born in Philadelphia, then the family moved to New Jersey where four more children were born, Joan M., Paul F., Leon J., and Donald G. Johnson. The family was living at 3009 Mt. Ephraim Avenue as early as 1935. The 1940 Census shows William E. Johnson Sr. employed as a sheet metal worker at the Philadelphia Navy Yard.

The family was still at the Mt. Ephraim Avenue address when the City Directory was compiled in 1947. William E. Johnson Sr. was then working as a policeman. By January 17, 1949 he had left the department.

Leon J. Johnson served in the United States Army. On January 3, 1969 he began serving as a member of the Camden Fire Department. He retired on August 30, 1997 having served with honor and distinction for over 28 years. he Fagan family still occupied the South 35th Street address as late as 2001. His legacy as a Camden firefighter carried on beyond his retirement as his nephew, Donald G. Johnson Jr., followed him into the Camden Fire Department on March 2, 1987, rising to the rank of Battalion Chief.

A long-time resident of the Fairview section of Camden, where he was active as a member of St. Joan of Arc Roman Catholic Church, Leon J. Johnson and his wife moved to Somerdale, New Jersey after he retired from the Camden Fire Department. Leon G. Johnson passed away on August 30, 2017, survived by his wife, sister, brother Donald, a host of nieces and nephews, as well as many present and former members of the Camden Fire Department.

Camden Fire Fighters Ernie Fagan and Leon Johnson - March 7, 1971

This fire at South 6th and Van Hook Streets destroyed the original building of the John W. Mickle Elementary School. The Annex remains in use as of 2008 as the Camden Creative Arts High School.

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Obituary

Leon J. Johnson
November 1, 1935 - August 30, 2017

Rest easy my beloved Uncle, Brother Firefighter, Mentor and Friend.
Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:30 am on Thursday, September 7th at Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish, St. Lawrence Church, 135 North White Horse Pike, Lindenwold, where family and friends may visit for 10 to 11:15 am. Burial will follow in New Saint Mary’s Cemetery, Bellmawr.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in memory of Leon to Good Counsel, Homes- Hope for Babies and Mothers, P.O. Box 6068, Hoboken, NJ 07030. Condolences and Memories may be shared at www.mccannhealey.com under the obituary of Leon J. Johnson. Funeral Arrangements and Inquiries through: McCANN-HEALEY FUNERAL HOME, Gloucester City. Ph: 856-456-1142

On August 30, 2017. Born in Camden, he was the son of the late William E. Johnson, Sr. and Marie (Deegan) Johnson. Beloved husband of Joan M. (Grant) Johnson. Leon is also survived by his brother, Donald G. Johnson (Carol) and sister, Joan Schules (Vincent) and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his brothers, William E. Johnson, Jr. in 1988, Thomas W. Johnson in 2008 and Paul F. Johnson in 2009.

Leon proudly honored his country by serving in the U. S. Army. He later worked as a firefighter for the City of Camden until his retirement in 1997 after 28 years of service. He was a member of Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish, St. Lawrence Church in Lindenwold, he served as Lecter for St. Joan of Arc and was a Eucharistic Minister.

Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:30 am on Thursday, September 7th at Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish, St. Lawrence Church, 135 North White Horse Pike, Lindenwold, where family and friends may visit for 10 to 11:15 am. Burial will follow in New Saint Mary’s Cemetery, Bellmawr.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in memory of Leon to Good Counsel, Homes- Hope for Babies and Mothers, P.O. Box 6068, Hoboken, NJ 07030.

Condolences and Memories may be shared at www.mccannhealey.com under the obituary of Leon J. Johnson. Funeral Arrangements and Inquiries through: McCANN-HEALEY FUNERAL HOME, Gloucester City. Ph: 856-456-1142