H.M. Johnson, Jr.

January 30, 2018 Mr. Hammie Milton "H.M." Johnson, Jr., age 96, passed away Monday, January 29, 2018, at Union Medical Center after a lengthy illness. H.M. was born in Buffalo, December 25, 1921, a son to the late Hammie and Stella Reese Johnson. He grew up in Buffalo and spent many hours with his friends like C.D. Walker, Stokley Brooks, W.H. Pruitt, Davey Goins and others walking the banks of the Fairforest Creek near the "Black Springs", which was their favorite spot for hunting small game and fishing for catfish. Camping, catching "spring lizards" and "set polling" was just about an every- weekend occurrence for him and his buddies. What times they had! Almost like the old "Little Rascals". After serving in the US Navy during WWII (stationed at Newfoundland and other locations) H.M. returned to Buffalo, enrolled at USC under the G.I. Bill and graduated with a Business degree. Upon graduation he started work for Draper Corp. in Spartanburg. After several years he was recalled to the Navy where he then served in the Korean War. He had a strong affection for the Navy and often spoke of his service work and travels. His position in the Navy was interesting in that his job was to serve as a shorthand stenographer for military court proceedings. H.M. liked sports and played third base for Draper in the old fast-pitch softball league in Spartanburg. He was a good athlete for sure; he was also very proud of his two "hole-in-ones" at the now closed Shoresbrook Golf Course in the community of Fairforest. H.M. was known very well for his gardening skills too. He would carry his vine-ripe tomatoes all through the Shoresbrook community of Fairforest. He was well known in the area. When he was able he attended Buffalo Baptist Church and loved to be in attendance if at all possible. Hammie is the last surviving member of his immediate family and was predeceased by two sisters, Mrs. Launa Crisp and Mrs. Eulala Harrison, and one brother, Henry Johnson of Union. He is survived by three nieces, Sherry Kendrick, Linda Russell and Cathy Eaton. Also surviving are three nephews, Tim Harrison, Newell Harrison and Ricky Johnson and numerous great nieces and nephews. H.M. was predeceased by a niece, Barbara Brown and a nephew, Steve Crisp. Funeral services will be held at 3:00 PM Thursday, February 1, 2018 at Buffalo Baptist Church conducted by Rev. Lynn Ford. Burial with Military Honors will be at Union Memorial Gardens. Active pallbearers will be Christopher Kendrick, Neal Lee, Michael Vaughan, Scottie Vaughan, Paul Harrison, Mark Haney, Nick Vaughan and Matthew Vaughan. Visitation will be from 1:00 until 3:00 PM Thursday at the church prior to the services. The family will be at the home of Neal and Brooke Lee, 385 Bailey Rd., Buffalo. In lieu of flower, memorial may be made to a charity of one's choice.