Blaine Johnson Obituary

JOHNSON, JR., Blaine Blaine Johnson, Jr., died Sunday, October 5, 2008 in Newport, Tennessee. He was born October 7, 1935 in Wagener, SC, resided in North Charleston and Givhans, SC before relocating to Del Rio, TN two years ago. He is survived by the love of his life, his wife of fifty-three years, Kay Gunnells Johnson, of Del Rio, TN; three children, Ginger J. Sottile of the Isle of Palms, SC, Kathy J. Binstead (Frank) of Newport, TN, and Alan Blaine Johnson, III of Del Rio, TN; six grandchildren, Rebecca Gray Johnson Clabough, Sarah Kirk Church (Michael), Megan O. Kirk, Jessica E. Johnson, of Newport, TN, Nicholas S. Sottile and Stephen R. Sottile of Isle of Palms, SC; and six great-grandchildren, Kailey Johnson, Seth Clabough, Andrew Ryan Kirk, Hazel Sandra Kay Church, Olivia May Kirk and Jaden Johnson, all of Newport, TN. He is predeceased by his parents, Evelyn Kennerly Johnson and Blaine Johnson and by his parents-in-law, Myrtle Meyer Gunnells and Ralph E Gunnells. Bubba attended North Charleston High School, The Citadel and the University of South Carolina. He was active in the Sinclair Masonic Lodge #154 AFM, Columbia, SC, the Scottish Rite, Charleston, SC, and the Omar Shrine Temple, Charleston, SC, where he served on the Director Staff. He was involved in the Charleston Junior Chamber of Commerce who awarded him the title of International Senator. He worked for many years in the North Charleston Jaycees, holding numerous local, state and national offices. An active amateur radio operator since the '60's, his first call letters were WA4TAA and then N4CII. Bubba often offered his services to various groups and organizations with radio control for outdoor events and he assisted with Civil Defense with the local ham radio clubs. Bubba was a licensed contractor and electrician, and he retired as the Dorchester County Building Inspector. Bubba and Kay have worked for the last two decades as independent inspectors for FEMA, traveling throughout the US providing disaster relief. Visitation will be held at Manes Funeral Home, 363 East Main Street, Newport, TN, on Tuesday, October 7, 2008 from 3 6PM and at J. HENRY STUHR, INC., NORTH AREA CHAPEL, 2119 Dorchester Road, North Charleston, SC on Saturday, October 11, 2008 from 4 6 PM. Per the deceased's request, his remains were cremated. In lieu of flowers, gifts may be sent to the Shriners Hospitals for Children, 950 West Faris Road, Greenville, SC 29605. A memorial message may be written to the family by visiting our website at www.jhenrystuhr.com. Visit our guestbook at www.charleston.net/deaths.