Elliott Lorenza Johnson

JOHNSON, SILVA, DAVIDSON, HICKS, WALLACE, BOONE, SWEAT, EALY, ROSE, BROWN, BUTLER

Posted By: Sarah Fletcher (email)
Date: 8/15/2022 at 08:08:24

Elliott Lorenza Johnson departed this life to be with his heavenly Father, July 29, 2022.

Visitation will be held from 5-7:00 p.m. on Friday, August 5, 2022 at Lensing’s Oak Hill in Coralville. Funeral services will be at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, August 6, 2022 at Lensing’s Oak Hill.

Elliott was born, August 18, 1938, to the late Tyree and Genell Johnson in Oakwood, Texas. Elliott was affectionately known as a beloved husband and father, adored grandfather, a cherished friend and a leader in whatever he did. However, to his immediate family he was known as “Big Papa,” because he was a twin, they called him “Little Papa.”

Elliott attended Dunbar High School in Oakwood, Texas where he graduated the valedictorian of his senior class. He attended Prairie View A&M University, where he received his Bachelors of Science degree and his Masters of Science degree, both in mathematics. He also attended summer school classes at the University of Texas in Austin. Elliott earned a Doctor of Philosophy degree at the University of Iowa in Iowa City.

Elliott’s professional career began at Victoria High School in Victoria, Texas, where he taught Mathematics to the advanced and accelerated junior and senior high school students. He also taught Mathematics at Central Junior High School for a year after moving to Iowa City, to attend the University of Iowa. Then he became the Iowa City School District’s Mathematics Coordinator. He also served as the AEA Mathematics Coordinator for Schools throughout Iowa. His journey took him into the business world. Where he started with Westinghouse in their educational department known as “Plan.” He was then employed by NCS Pearson, formerly Westinghouse. At NCS he served for several years as the Vice President of State Assessments. He controlled the educational testing programs for numerous states including Texas, California, and New Jersey. While at NCS, Elliott traveled to Nigeria to help schools develop educational programs.

Dr. Elliott Johnson was conscientious in his career and received many awards and special recognition. Some of the highlights of this include: “Outstanding Young Educator Award” (Jaycees), “Human Rights Commission Award” (City of Iowa City), and “American Frequent Flyer Award” (American Airlines) for flying more than two million miles around the world. He was featured on the cover of the “National Computer Systems” 1997 Annual Report.

Elliott had a variety of hobbies. He enjoyed playing golf, and his favorite sports were football and basketball. As a dedicated Hawkeye fan, he attended numerous games for many years in Iowa City; even when it was snowing and very cold. He enjoyed wrestling and fishing as well. Most of all he was an avid reader. He started at a very early age. His mom was an inspiration to his joy of reading and it became a life long habit which he passed on to his son, Eldon. Elliott also loved to camp and travel all over the United States and in many places throughout many countries.

Elliott Johnson was a caring and helpful man, who gave unselfishly of himself and will be deeply missed, especially by his wife of 61 years, Mae. He will also be missed by family, friends, and everyone who knew him. He is survived by his loving wife, Mae E. Wallace Johnson; his son, Eldon L. Johnson and his son with Norma Silva, Juan Silva-Johnson; two sisters: Andrea Davidson and Angela Hicks both of Houston, Texas; three sisters-in-law’s: Patricia Johnson, Jewel Wallace, and Marcia Wallace; nieces: La Chounda Johnson, Deidre Boone (Dwayne), Tanya Johnson, Rosalyn Sweat (Ryan), Jocelyn Ealy, Vera Wallace, and Renita Rose (Dennis); Nephews: Reginald Brown, James Ealy, Vernon Ealy, Renaldo Wallace (Stacey), and Eric Wallace (Wendy); numerous great and great-great nieces and nephews; a very close cousin: Ollie Ann Butler; and a host of other relatives and friends.

Lensing Funeral & Cremation Service
 

Johnson Obituaries maintained by Cindy Booth Maher.
WebBBS 4.33 Genealogy Modification Package by WebJourneymen