Melvin Johnson

Melvin Vernon Johnson of Chiefland, FL, was born on October 20, 1941, in Williamsburg, VA. On September 15, 2025, he entered eternal rest, joining his parents William Vernon and Wilma Johnson, and his brother Timothy Johnson.

He married Glorida Gladys Williams on June 23, 1961.

Daughters: Penny Yvonne Johnson Goodale and Phyllis Rene Johnson Pruitt. Grandchildren: Wilton Eugene Jenkins III (Chiefland, FL), Robert Travis Goodale (Chiefland, FL), and Timothy Justin Goodale (Gainesville, FL). Great Grandchildren: Landon Jenkins, Kaitlain Jenkins, Kiley Jenkins, Roselyn Jenkins, and Rowan Parker Goodale.

To family and friends, I was Vernon, Mel or Vernon to my wife Gladys, Dad to Penny and Rene, Granpa to my grandchildren, Papa to my great-grandchildren, and Uncle Red or Uncle Vernon to my 18 nieces and nephews.

I worked at Regency Office Equipment with my best friend and partner, Mr. Dan Sapp, from my arrival in Gainesville until I left in 1994. Later, I worked at Lancaster Corrections with men who became friends for life and always had my back. Mr. Eric Vanderhalyn, Mr. Windle Nettles, Mr. Jimmy Bird, and Mr. Yancy. I retired from the Department of Corrections in December 2006.

I spent retirement fishing with my brother-in-law, but true brother, Mr. Huey Crosby of Brooker, FL. He could catch fish in spring, summer, fall, and winter, and I learned a lot about fishing from him. Nobody knew boat fishing like my brother-in-law Donald Williams. We were never just in-laws—we were brothers for all our 57 years. The Lord took him in 2018 but believe he watched over me from ship to shore. We spent more time in Donald's boat playing with his fish finder than actually fishing. He had plenty of time to catch supper because I declare, all that man had to do was smile at the water and the fish leapt onto his lap.

It was my son-in-law, Mr. Sammy Pruitt, who showed me the way of a fish fry—from panfish to reds—throwing in some squirrel at hunting camp. He lent me lumber I never returned, and one day he simply showed up to build a long ramp just when it had become tiring for me to climb those steps. I remember thanking him, but thanks will never repay all the things Sammy did for me.

My mama's family was raised in North Carolina. My cousin, Mr. Max Hamrick (known in books and documentaries as the tailor of Old Willamsburg), began calling often after my brother Tim died in 2003. Over the last 22 years he became more than a cousin—he was a companion, hashing over great childhood memories and keeping me updated on Mom's family. I was glad when he retired back to those Carolina hills near my great- grandmother's home in Sandy Mush. He drove me around to three old cemeteries, showing me where another part of our big family was buried. My mom was one of ten children.

I was raised with my dad's family in Lake Wales, FL, from the age of 13. I graduated from Lake Wales High School in 1961. I met Gladys through a mutual friend at a beach party in Dundee. I asked her for a dance, and she said, “If you take off those shoes and socks”. We danced barefoot in the sand at the lake that night in the summer of 1959. We got married in the summer I graduated in 1961. I became a dad in May of 1962, and Rene completed our family in August 1963.

I never thought being a ‘Grandpa' cold mean so much. God gifted me three grandsons: Eugene Jenkins III, Robert Travis Goodale, and Justin Goodale. Later, life brought me five treasures, my great-grandchildren Landon, Kaitlain, Kiley and Roselyn Jenkins. Seven years later, I was blessed with Rowan Goodale.

The most important part of my life has been my devotion to Jesus Christ. I attended church with friends as a teenager, and in 1965 I joined the Christian and Missionary Alliance. I remained a member until I left Gainesville in 1994. Fellowship with deacons, pastors, elders, and members became a big part of my life for 29 years. I often told Gladys, ‘I love this church.'

“Home is any place God is. Everything that was lost is found; returned one way or another. Leaving is just returning. Anything left will find its way to where it should be. Grace is a gift of God—found when it is needed, given when it is time, accepted by faith. Time is short; it never stays. It flows endlessly like a river through my soul, and the current carries me through another day. Pass things on to a friend in need, a stranger sent my way not knowing they were directed. It was no coincidence. I cannot keep except that which is within. Things are not eternal.”

“Look up. It will point you towards home, no matter how far or how long you roam.” Jimmy Buffett.

A memorial service will be held at Weems & Sons Funeral Home in Chiefland, FL on Friday, September 26, 2025 at 11:00 am. Debbie Batchelord will officiate the service. 

Arrangements are entrusted to Weems & Sons Funeral Homes, 715 West Park Avenue Chiefland, Florida 32626.