Individual Details

Death

Chester Forrest Johnson, Jr. passed away on March 12, 2014. He was born to the late Chester Forrest, Sr. and Leone Gaught Johnson on August 2, 1928 in Camden, Arkansas. After graduation from Camden High School, he attended Louisiana Tech, earning a BS degree in Civil Engineering. Just prior to graduation, he married his soul mate, Betty Greaves, who became the center of his life for the next sixty three years. During the Korean War, he served as a Naval officer for three years. He had a forty year career as a registered engineer, designing, building, operating and managing paper manufacturing facilities. He retired in 1987 from Stone Container Corp. as General Manager of their Savannah, Georgia facilities. He later took a position in Birmingham with BE&K engineering and construction Co. He served five years as a project manager before retiring again and serving as a consultant for several years. He became a founder and first president of the BE&K retiree's Association. Forrest was an avid golfer and a long time member of Chase Lake Country Club. He served on the board of directors and was president of the Senior Golf Association. Wherever he lived, he was an active member of a Baptist Church. He was an ordained deacon for over fifty years, and a Sunday School for over forty years. In Birmingham, he was an active member of Riverchase Baptist Church, serving as a deacon, Sunday School teacher, and trustee. He felt his greatest accomplishment was having a wonderful family. He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Betty and by sons Mark (Marilyn) and David (Claudia), and a loving daughter, Vickie Furr (Gary). There are ten grandchildren and five great grandchildren and all were his pride and joy. He is also survived by a brother, Richard K. Johnson and a sister, Lavenia Craig. Visitation is scheduled on Sunday, March 16, 2014 at Riverchase Baptist Church, 2020 Crossvine Rd, in Hoover, AL at 12:30 pm. A memorial service will follow at 2 pm. with Dr. Gary Furr and Rev. Jeff Greer officiating. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be given to the Riverchase Baptist Church or the Vestavia Hills Baptist Church.
Published in The Birmingham News from Mar. 13 to Mar. 14, 2014