Freddy Carl Johnson

Freddy Carl Johnson, 91, passed peacefully in his sleep on January 10, 2024. He was born August 3, 1932, in Brady, Texas to Ernest Theodore Johnson and Muriel Mae Appleton Johnson. As a high school student, he was in the Navy Reserves, and soon after graduating from Brady High School in 1951, he was drafted into the U.S. Navy. He served two years during the Korean War on the U.S.S. Oriskany as an Airman 1st (Aviation Supply). He was serving on the Oriskany when it went around the horn of South America, becoming the first United States aircraft carrier to carry out and accomplish that mission. He was married to Leta Vanell Turner Johnson on July 21, 1955. They shared 45 years together until her passing in 2001. At the age of 11, he developed an interest in taxidermy. By the age of 12, he had graduated from the Northwest School of Taxidermy. Each correspondence course was fifty cents. Upon his return home from his deployment in the Pacific Ocean, he moved to Golden, Colorado, to perfect his taxidermy skills. Although he made his livelihood in the floor covering business, (Carpetland in San Angelo and opened Brady Floors in Brady) he continued to dabble in taxidermy. In 1979, he decided to go full-time and opened Johnson Taxidermy. He mounted his last deer when he was 79 years old. Freddy had the distinction of being the second person in Brady to ever receive the (then new) drug, penicillin, to cure "rabbit fever", a bacterial virus he caught while exploring a cave near his childhood home. Freddy was past president of the Brady Rod & Gun Club, the Brady Kiwanis Club, and was a sponsor for the Brady High School Key Club. Freddy was a third generation Swede, and was proud of his Swedish heritage. He enjoyed his coffee breaks and socializing. He never met a stranger. He loved hunting, fishing, and gardening. He enjoyed traveling, especially if it involved a trip to the mountains to fish for Rainbow Trout. He worshipped with the congregation of Church of Christ that meets at Sunset Ridge, where he has been a faithful member for 56 years. Freddy is preceded by his wife of 45 years, Vanell Turner Johnson, son-in-law Ted Wayne Heatherly, parents, and a brother and infant sister, two great-grandchildren, Dane Brent Yates and Darcy Beth Yates. Freddy is survived by his two daughters, Denise Yates and husband Duaine; Lisa Dodd and husband T. Don; five grandchildren, Dusty Patterson and husband Hugh; Angela Mackey and husband Dustin; Darla Yates; Derek Yates and wife Diana; Danica Yates; twelve great-grandchildren, Allison, Carly, Brydon, Carsen, Case, Danielle, Daphne, Delaney, Dawson, Declan, Damon, Dutton, bonus great-grandchildren, Lunden Patterson, Laurel Patterson, and Walker Knight, numerous nieces, nephews, and dear friends. Funeral arrangements are entrusted to Heritage Funeral Home of Brady. Please view Mr. Johnson's online memorial at www.heritagefuneralhomes.com

Freddy Carl Johnson

August 3, 1932 - January 10, 2024