Memorials
John B. "J.B." Johnson Jr., 94, passed away March 7, 2016. Born December 4, 1922 in Winston Salem, NC to parents, Lemma and J.B. Johnson, Sr. J.B. was preceded in death by his loving wife Sarah of 65 years. At the age of two the family moved to Asheville, NC and was educated in the school system, graduating from Lee Edwards High. A lover of baseball and a good player, he received a scholarship to oak ridge institute and was the team's outstanding pitcher. In September 1942 JB joined the Army Air Corps. His military duty included aviation mechanics school in Amarillo, Texas B24 training in San Diego, CA, Yale University for engineering school and completing the aviation cadet program and flying B25s. At war's end he attended Georgia Tech for a one semester refresher course and in 1946 he signed a baseball contract with the Newnan Browns, a newly formed team in the newly formed Georgia Alabama league. Here again he was the outstanding pitcher in the league winning 20 and losing 8. One outstanding feat was pitching a double header not allowing any runs, a baseball record for quite some time. Apparently the record caught the eyes of the Detroit Tigers since they purchased his contract. J.B.’s baseball career spanned 4 years playing in various leagues from Class A to Class D in what is called the minor leagues.
In 1946 he went to work for Fireman's Fund insurance company in Atlanta, GA. In 1949 he was transferred to Charlotte, NC and in 1964 transferred to Tampa as resident vice president and Florida manager. He retired in 1985 after 38 years with the company, the last 20 years in Tampa. He and his wife chose Clearwater as home. In Charlotte he assisted in organizing little league baseball.
He was president of the Del Oro Groves Homeowners Assoc. for three years; a life member of the Professional Baseball Players of America. During his 20 years he was very proud of his branch and several times won his company's highest award known as "Tip of the Hat". He always said he had wonderful employees. He retired in 1985 after 38 years of service.
Upon retiring in 1985 he volunteered to serve on a city board and was appointed to the planning & zoning board. He served six years and five of the years as chairman. After his two terms ended he was appointed to the Maas Brothers task force. In 1991 he decided to seek a seat on the commission and was defeated by Art Degan. After the defeat J.B. was appointed to the development code adjustment board and in 1995 decided to again seek a commission seat. This time he was successful serving two terms with five of the six years as vice mayor. Later he was appointed to serve for two commissioners who resigned. As a commissioner he always gave consideration to "will the decision benefit our city" and you may "disagree'' but you do not have to be disagreeable. J.B. served on many city boards with the last one being the community development board. Recently the city hall conference room was named for him.
He has served on the area agency on aging board of Pasco¬ Pinellas, emeritus of the Salvation Army board, Senior Citizens board, Prospect Towers board and a member of Star Lodge 78. He worked part time for Biltmore construction as business development representative. J.B. was a member of Dunedin Country Club for eight years and since 1995 a member of Clearwater Country Club.
J.B. has been a member of Trinity Presbyterian Church since 1966 and served on the elders and deacon boards as well as other important positions.
He is survived by one sister, Elizabeth and her husband Joe in Newnan, GA and one sister-in-law, Caroline Spradlin in Chatham, VA and many nieces and nephews and great, great nieces and nephews. www.mossfeasterclearwater.com
In 1946 he went to work for Fireman's Fund insurance company in Atlanta, GA. In 1949 he was transferred to Charlotte, NC and in 1964 transferred to Tampa as resident vice president and Florida manager. He retired in 1985 after 38 years with the company, the last 20 years in Tampa. He and his wife chose Clearwater as home. In Charlotte he assisted in organizing little league baseball.
He was president of the Del Oro Groves Homeowners Assoc. for three years; a life member of the Professional Baseball Players of America. During his 20 years he was very proud of his branch and several times won his company's highest award known as "Tip of the Hat". He always said he had wonderful employees. He retired in 1985 after 38 years of service.
Upon retiring in 1985 he volunteered to serve on a city board and was appointed to the planning & zoning board. He served six years and five of the years as chairman. After his two terms ended he was appointed to the Maas Brothers task force. In 1991 he decided to seek a seat on the commission and was defeated by Art Degan. After the defeat J.B. was appointed to the development code adjustment board and in 1995 decided to again seek a commission seat. This time he was successful serving two terms with five of the six years as vice mayor. Later he was appointed to serve for two commissioners who resigned. As a commissioner he always gave consideration to "will the decision benefit our city" and you may "disagree'' but you do not have to be disagreeable. J.B. served on many city boards with the last one being the community development board. Recently the city hall conference room was named for him.
He has served on the area agency on aging board of Pasco¬ Pinellas, emeritus of the Salvation Army board, Senior Citizens board, Prospect Towers board and a member of Star Lodge 78. He worked part time for Biltmore construction as business development representative. J.B. was a member of Dunedin Country Club for eight years and since 1995 a member of Clearwater Country Club.
J.B. has been a member of Trinity Presbyterian Church since 1966 and served on the elders and deacon boards as well as other important positions.
He is survived by one sister, Elizabeth and her husband Joe in Newnan, GA and one sister-in-law, Caroline Spradlin in Chatham, VA and many nieces and nephews and great, great nieces and nephews. www.mossfeasterclearwater.com
