Garland Johnson

Garland Daniel Johnson, Jr. (Junior), 66, of Concord, passed away Friday, March 28, 2014 at his home after a long battle with cancer. He fought with such dignity and grace.

Mr. Johnson was born December 21, 1947 to the late Garland Daniel Johnson, Sr. and Ruth Eugenia Irvin Johnson. In addition to his parents he is also preceded in death by two half brothers, Dan Johnson and Richard Johnson; and daughter, Jillian Amanda Johnson.

The family will receive friends at Charity Baptist Church, 2420 Brantley Rd. Kannapolis, NC 28083, on Monday, March 31, 2014 from 6:00pm until 9:00pm.

The funeral service, officiated by Rev. Marty Payton, Rev. R. J. Hammond, and Rev. Ron Bushey, will be held at Charity Baptist Church on Tuesday, April 1, 2014 at 3:00pm. Burial will follow at Oakwood Cemetery.

He is survived by his loving wife of 36 years Pamela Johnson of the home; daughter, Wendy McDonald (Tony); son, Daniel Johnson and daughter Kristen Huneycutt (Chris) and a special adopted son, Greg "Tiny" Moore; grandchildren, Dustin McDonald, Leah McDonald, Brenden Johnson, Madelyn Johnson, Lily Huneycutt, and Caden Huneycutt; brothers, Nick Johnson (Joann), Edward "PeeWee" Johnson; sister, Sylvia Miller (Wayne); and several special nieces and nephews.

Mr. Johnson was well known as the "Little Junior Johnson" of the racing world. He built and raced cars most of his life at local dirt and asphalt tracks as well as Hooters Pro Cup and All Pro Racing Series, fielding cars for many drivers such as Billy Scott, Stick Elliott, David Perry, Jack Sprague, Dave Mader, Hayward Plyler, Wesley Mills and his son Daniel Johnson. His last stent with racing was Bandelero's with his grandson Brenden. He loved racing and he loved his family. Racing was a family sport for him. In his later years he discovered a new love for restoring old cars and enjoyed many cruise-ins, car shows, and making new friends who shared the same love.

Junior retired from Duke Energy McGuire Nuclear Station in Huntersville after 27 years of service. He was a member of Charity Baptist Church in Kannapolis, NC and also a member of the Masonic Lodge of Kannapolis, NC. The family would like to give a special thanks to his hospice nurse, Jennifer Carroll and the entire Interventional Radiology Department of CMC NorthEast and oncologist Dr. John David Turner.

Memorials may be made to Charity Baptist Church, 2420 Brantley Rd. Kannapolis, NC 28083 or to Hartsell Funeral Home, c/o Garland Junior Johnson Account,PO Box 367, Concord, NC 28026.

Hartsell Funeral Home is serving the Johnson family.