SEARCY — On Sunday, January 14, Leo Johnson,

loving husband, father, and grandfather, passed away at home. He was born on June 19, 1931, to Elbert and Lola (Adams) Johnson of Jessieville, Ark.

Johnson graduated from Hot Springs High School in 1949. He attended Henderson State University, and in 1953 received his B.S.E., and in 1958 his M.A. Johnson spent one year in the United States Army (starting on October 6, 1953), where he trained in military police. After a knee injury, he received an honorable discharge.

Johnson’s first coaching job was at Dierks during the 1954-55 school year. He was at Bradley for 13 years from 1955-1968. He lost his first game, which was his only home loss in 13 years. His Bradley teams won four state championships in 1962, 1966, 1967, and 1968. They lost by one point in the finals of 1965.

Coach Johnson’s teams won the Joe T. Robinson Tournaments in 1965-1968 and lost by one point in the final game of 1964.

Johnson’s junior girls went undefeated for five consecutive years. His senior girls compiled a 78-game win streak before losing by one point in a regular season game in 1968. That was the only loss in six years. Overall, Johnson’s teams suffered 26 losses in 13 years.

Later, Johnson served as coach and principal at Stephens for three years. He then resigned from coaching and became the full-time principal. He later served 13 years as superintendent and retired in 1989.

Johnson conducted girls’ basketball camps in Arkansas, Texas, Louisianna, and Oklahoma. He served on the first committee, which formed the AHSCA Girls All-Star basketball game.

In 2012, Johnson was honored at “Leo Johnson Years” which was celebrated by his former players in Bradley at the Gov. Conway Days Festival. He served as Grand Marshall of the parade, attended the Leo Johnson Roast and a 3-on3 basketball game by his former players. In 2014, he was inducted into the Arkansas High School Coaches Association Hall of Fame.

Leo moved to Searcy in 1998 to be close to his grandsons. He enjoyed his time outdoors, feeding his catfish and deer. (Thanks for the memories, Gramps…) He was also a member of the Park Avenue Baptist Church in Searcy.

Leo is survived by his wife, Sissie; daughter, Claya (Jeff) Byram; grandsons, Hunter (Carlie) Byram and Hayden Byram.

In addition to his parents, Leo was preceded in death by his brother and sister.

Visitation for Leo will be held on Thursday, January 18, 2024, at 1 p.m., with services following at 2 p.m., at Park Avenue Baptist Church in Searcy. Interment will follow in Gum Springs Cemetery.

Arrangements are entrusted to Powell Funeral Home of Searcy. www.powellfuneralhome.net

The family of Leo Johnson would like to thank Arkansas Hospice for the excellent care and for the many visits from their pastor, Keith Lunceford.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial donations be made to Park Avenue Baptist Church building fund. Donations can be made online at https://www.parkavenuebaptist.org/ (new auditorium fund), or 211 East Park Avenue, Searcy, Ark. 72143.