Stuart Johnson
2013-02-14JOHNSON, G. Stuart GORDON (STUART) JOHNSON Gordon (Stuart) Johnson, 69. Dedicated to family and friends. Hearth Industry icon. Born in Evanston, IL, Stuart moved with his family to Decatur, GA at a young age and became an "honorary Southerner" and was a proud American for life. Growing up during the "Greatest Generation" era, Stuart enjoyed an idyllic childhood that could easily be out of a Mark Twain novel. He and his friends were constantly on an adventure around the area. It was this independence that matured him well before his years. Those lessons learned would serve and guide him the rest of his life. He learned to be a friend, to love, respect others and God. He learned the value of hard work, dedication, responsibility, and to champion others. Family was always extremely important to Stuart. He was a loving and supportive husband, father, grandfather, brother and uncle. An opportunity was never missed by him to expand his family and take someone else into it. This was especially the case during the holidays; any friend was considered family and assured a seat at his table and place in his home. Stuart was an avid gardener and cultivated friendships in much the same way. He was constantly striving to help them grow and provide encouragement. All of the friends he leaves behind could never be known. His business life was dedicated to bringing families together through the celebration of fire. He represented the Robert H. Peterson Company, with honor, for a half century and is considered an icon in the Hearth Industry having proudly served on its board. Stuart mentioned on occasion that he was humbled by the lucky life that he had lived to that point; all that knew him know better than to consider it luck. Stuart passed away from a cardiac event, at the pinnacle of his career and having just completed the most beautiful round of golf in the Los Angeles hills, surrounded by snow-capped mountains. Above all, he was with family and friends-to the end. He was preceded in death by his first wife of 42 years, Barbara Turner Johnson. He is now survived by his current loving wife, Gloria Bach Johnson, his three children, Jo Ellen Johnson-Kuehnel, Jennifer O'Kelley and her husband Gene, Mitch Johnson and his wife Mitsy, all of metro Atlanta, step-son Brad Hornibrook and wife Leslie of Birmingham, AL, a sister Bonnie Billington of Decatur, GA, a brother Ross Johnson of Montevallo, AL, seven grandchildren, several nieces and nephews and many friends that will all carry his light. Thursday, February 21st Visitation from 2:00-5:00 pm. The Clairemont Decatur Condos, 417 Clairemont Avenue, Decatur, GA 30030. Friday, February 22nd Memorial Service 11:00 am. Valley Brook Baptist Church, 1198 North Valley Brook Road, Decatur, GA 30033. In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting a donation be made to the American Cancer Society , www.cancer.org or mail to American Cancer Society , 250 Williams Street, Atlanta, GA 30303. If you make a donation in Stuart Johnson's memory, you can request that a note be sent to the family, c/o JCO Marketing, P.O. Box 80625, Conyers, GA 30013. All notes will be shared with the family. Risher Montebello Mortuary are Funeral Directors. www.rishermortuary.com. (323) 728-1261.