John E. Johnson, 79, of Saint Simons Island, passed away peacefully with family at his side on Aug. 10.

He was a wonderful husband, father and grandfather.

John was born on Oct. 8, 1944, in Akron, Ohio. He graduated from Concordia High School in Fort Wayne, Indiana, and went to college and graduated from Ball State University in Muncie, Indiana.

He took a professorship at Miami Dade University in Kendall, Florida, from 1968-1970 and then returned to Ball State University to obtain his doctorate in education. He then transferred to Jekyll Island, where he took a professorship at Brunswick Junior College from 1972-1977. John then transferred to Indianapolis, and became the Academic Program Officer at the Indiana Commission for Higher Education from 1977-1980. He then became director of the nursing institute at Community Hospital in Indianapolis from 1980-1986 and then director of education for Kiwanis International from 1986-1994.

John then moved back to his paradise on Saint Simons Island and became the owner of the Wild Birds Unlimited from 1994 until 2004.

He then retired and lived out his remaining years with his wife Jane Maureen Johnson.

John is survived by his wife Jane; son, Todd; daughter, Gretchen; and granddaughter, Julianna.

A private service will be held.

Chapman Funeral Chapel is in charge of the arrangements.