Aubrey Johnson Sr.

Aubrey Johnson was born May 29, 1937 in Pine Bluff, Arkansas to Cleopatra Dunn and Jim Johnson. Aubrey was the oldest of his mother’s children. His close-knit family included brother Tilmon Harris and sister-in-law Arnetha, and sister Etta Mae and brother-in-law Albert. Aubrey was especially close to his beloved grandparents Reverend John and Mrs. Clara Bullock-Hill growing up. Aubrey was raised and educated in Pine Bluff, although he joined the United States Armed Forces before graduating from high school. During his early years in the military, he met and and married Robertine “Tina” Hubbard. From this union were born Aubrey Jr. and Sonia Renee (Williams). Although he was a devoted military man, fighting in both the Korean and Vietnam Wars amongst various other duties, Aubrey’s family was the most important thing in his life. He doted on his children and when not on tour, he was never far away from them even through their adult lives. Aubrey retired from the military in May, 1977, after serving his country faithfully for twenty-one years. Later, following his retirement, he spent five years as a volunteer, cooking for active and inactive veterans at the United Service Organization (USO) in San Diego, California. Aubrey loved cooking for family and friends alike. He found great joy in preparing entire meals for people and looked forward to the holidays when he could really “throw down” in the kitchen. His hard work and tireless commitment earned him several USO awards including the Special Volunteer Achievement Award for Outstanding and Dedicated Service 1994, the USO Golden Chef Award 1995, and Downtown Center Kitchen Volunteer of the Year 1997. Aubrey spent a lot of time studying the Bible and was particularly interested in the Old Testament. He saw himself as an aspiring theologian. He enjoyed in-depth discussions on the Bible and loved to share his thoughts with his son-in-law and older grandchildren. Aubrey was preceded in death by his father Jim and his brother Tilmon. His family will always cherish his memory as Son, Brother, Dad and Pa-Pa. Those who wait to see him again in eternity are his mother Cleo Dunn, sister Etta Mae (Albert), son Aubrey Jr., daughter Sonia Renee (Reginald), grandchildren Quentin II, Aubrey III, Camille Sade, Krystle, Camille Marie, Kimberly, Kayla; great-grandchildren Lyric Dior and Jasmine Elizabeth and an extended family of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. Gone but not forgotten, rest well daddy.