Harlan Johnson, 81, passed away peacefully Monday evening, April 17, 2017, at Brown County Health & Living Community in Nashville. He was a resident of Brown County.
Harlan was born March 2, 1936, in Bell County, Kentucky, to the late Charles and Ethel (Collett) Johnson. He was a 1955 graduate of Bell County High School and went on to marry Laura Ann Brock on July 23, 1955 in Tennessee. She preceded him in death on Jan. 2, 1995, after 39 loving years of marriage.
Harlan retired as a tool and die maker in 1995 for General Motors Truck and Bus Plant in Indianapolis after 40 years of service. He was a member of the UAW Local in Indianapolis, Nashville Masonic Lodge and a founding member of Way of Holiness Church in Brown County.
Harlan enjoyed playing football and basketball in high school. His love of sports never faded, and he loved watching college basketball, cheering on the Kentucky Wildcats. Harlan also enjoyed gardening, watching old Western movies and reading his Bible. Most of all, he enjoyed spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Harlan will be missed by his children, Charles (Carrie) Johnson and Melanie (William) Kershaw, both of Brown County; sister, Joy Driggs of Indianapolis; grandchildren, Nathaniel (Sara) True of Brown County, Crystal Johnson of Plainfield, William (Jennifer) Kershaw of Waverly and Charles (Carol) Kershaw of Martinsville; and 11 great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Laura; and siblings, Lettie Johnson, Cledith Brock and Otis, Freeman, Theodore and Shirl Johnson.
A funeral service was conducted April 22 at Mill Creek Baptist Church in Pineville, Kentucky. Friends and family called prior to the service at the church. Burial was in Brock Family Cemetery, Pineville.
Funeral arrangements were entrusted to Meredith-Clark Funeral Home Cremation & Personalization Center in Morgantown.
Memorial contributions may be sent in honor of Harlan to the donor’s choice.
Condolences may be sent to the Johnson family at meredith-clark.com.
