Barney Brooks Johnson

Brooks Johnson, 68, of Newnan, Georgia died on Wednesday, December 9th, after a lengthy battle with cancer. He was born to the late William Cicero Johnson and Margie Brown Johnson on Dec. 31st 1946 in Montgomery, Alabama. Brooks leaves a legacy of love and integrity with his family and those who knew him. He has left behind wonderful memories of a loving Husband, Father, and Grandfather. We are grateful for each and every day we got to see his glowing smile, and for the lessons and all the joy we shared. He was bursting with energy and always had a bit of mischief in his eyes. Brooks accepted Jesus as his Lord and Savior and was baptized in 1958. He rededicated his life to the Lord in 2003. Brooks graduated from Sidney Lanier High School in 1965 and studied 3 ½ years at Troy State University (1965-1968). He spent his summer breaks working at Disneyland. He worked first in merchandising and then the talent department. Some of his many duties included: portraying Disney characters, attending Hollywood premiers and assisting movie stars. On weekends, during the school year, he traveled to Atlanta and portrayed a gunslinger in the area called “Lick Skillet” at Six Flags over Georgia. In 1969, Brooks settled in at Delta Airlines working in customer service and later in the training department. Early in his career at Delta while transporting flight attendants to their gates he met his soul-mate Dana to whom he said,” I will take you wherever you want to go!” He married Dana Hairston of Houston, Texas six months later. Brooks and his sweetheart had a special relationship. Soul mates you might say sharing a romance that lasted throughout their entire marriage. Dana says he treated her “like a princess.” They lived together in Fayetteville, Georgia before relocating to Newnan, Georgia in 1990. They were blessed with two beautiful daughters Kelli and Kasey and six grandchildren. During his off time from Delta, his love for fishing prompted him to start a business. He owned and operated the “Laughing Bass Tournament Trail” for 8 years with great success, making many new loving friends. He was also a member of the “Cajun 100” national fishing team and fished the U.S. Bass and B.A.S.S. He retired from Delta at age 52 and went into business for himself in construction. Brooks and his family attended Crossroads Church and were community group leaders for 2 years. One or the other must leave, one or the other must grieve, and that is forever the way. That is the vow that was sworn, ‘faithful till death do us part.’ Braving what has to be borne, widening the ache in the heart. One how so ever adored, first must be summoned away. That is the will of the Lord-one or the other must stay! Brooks was preceded in death by his father, William Cicero Johnson and his mother Margie Brown Johnson. Brooks is survived by his wife, Dana Hairston Johnson, his daughters Kelli (Chet) Yates of Thomaston, Georgia and Kasey Johnson and fiancé Levi Thompson of Athens, Georgia. Six Grandchildren, Brooks, Fred, Mary Kate, Keylan, Hailey, and Ty Yates; two sisters, Frankie (Hudson) Manning of Kennesaw, Georgia and Katherine (John) Crook of Fort Deposit, Alabama, brother-in-law Dickson Hairston of Dallas, Texas, three special nephews; Mike Manning of Savannah, Georgia, Patrick (Traci) Manning of Cedar Rapids, Iowa and Jason (Stephanie) Crook of Millwood, Alabama. Condolences can be expressed online at www.mckoon.com. Those who wish may send flowers or make contributions to the American Cancer Society, 301 Kelley Dr., Suite 3, Peachtree City, GA 30269 or to Crossroads Church Newnan, 2564 GA 154, Newnan, GA 30265. The memorial service is Sunday, December 13, 2015 at 4 o’clock in the chapel of McKoon Funeral Home, 38 Jackson St, Newnan with Pastor Ken Adams & Pastor John Hobbs officiating. The family will receive friends at the funeral home beginning at 2 p.m. Sunday McKoon Funeral Home & Crematory (770) 253-4580.

Barney Brooks Johnson

December 31, 1946 - December 9, 2015