Earvin Johnson, Sr. (Lansing)

Mr. Earvin Johnson, Sr., was born to the late Lillie Mae and Jessie Johnson on Thursday, June 14, 1934, and raised in Wesson, Mississippi.

Born into a family of sharecroppers, as a child, Earvin worked hauling paper wood and picking cotton in Wesson, where he learned to operate a tractor. Throughout his teen years, he used that skill in Massachusetts during the summer to earn money to purchase clothes for school. This is what sparked his entrepreneurial spirit.

Earvin migrated from Mississippi to Chicago, Illinois, before eventually settling in Lansing, Michigan, in May 1955, where he began working for General Motors Corporation (GM).

In 1956, he was drafted into the United States Army and was stationed in North Carolina. Earvin received his honorable discharge in 1958. It was during this time that he met Christine E. Porter. The two were married on January 2, 1958.

After his discharge from the Army, Earvin and his bride Christine returned to Lansing, where he resumed working for General Motors. Over the years, Earvin worked hard to raise his children and provide for his family. Recalling his teen entrepreneurial years, he began his own refuse-hauling business and worked multiple jobs. He would always state, “If you can’t make it with one job, get yourself another job.” Earvin retired from GM in 1985 after 30 years of service.

A faithful member of Union Missionary Baptist Church, Earvin enjoyed participating in Bible study with the Laymen League. He was also a member of the male chorus. A favorite passion of his was mentoring young people and participating in the church’s outreach programs and activities.

Earvin loved spending time with his family and friends. He was not only an avid sports fan but an exceptional basketball player in his own right. He was a super fan of the Michigan State University Spartans and the Los Angeles Lakers basketball teams. Earvin enjoyed fast cars, drag racing, and collecting and preserving classic cars. He also loved shooting pool. His jokes, quick wit, and humor brought joy and laughter to those who knew him and everyone around him.

Surrounded by his family, our beloved Earvin closed his eyes, in Christ, on Wednesday, March 8, 2023, in Lansing, Michigan. He was 88 years old.

Earvin leaves to cherish his memory his wife of 65 years, Christine.

Treasuring his memory are his children, Michael (Veronica) Johnson of Lansing, Michigan; Lois Johnson of Tarboro, North Carolina; Quincy Johnson of Lansing, Michigan; Larry (Jennifer) Johnson of Lansing, Michigan; Lillie Pearl Johnson of Lansing, Michigan; Earvin (Earleatha “Cookie”) Johnson Jr. of Los Angeles, California; Kimberly (Carlos) Johnson Ray of Lansing, Michigan; Yvonne (Hicks-deceased) Johnson Robinson of Monterey, Tennessee; and Evelyn Johnson of Lansing, Michigan.

Grandchildren, Sanquernette (David) Outlaw, Calvin Harris Jr., Renée Harris, Shonette (Shaun) Wesley, Timothy (Jennifer) Lewis, Tauron Johnson, Tennille Johnson, Cordual Johnson, Courtney Lowery, Quincy Johnson Jr., Katina Mercer, Kendra Johnson, Larry (Ashley) Johnson Jr., Latisha Clayton, LaQuetta Clayton, Ethan Johnson, Andre (Lisa) Johnson, Earvin Johnson III, Elisa Johnson, Carlos (Tiffany) Ray Jr., Brandon (Lindsi) Robinson, and Evan Robinson; 23 great-grandchildren; and seven great-great-grandchildren.

Siblings, Goldie Mae O’Neal, Olliestine Brunson, Elois M. Smith, Kurt Fisher, Jessica Johnson, and Kenneth Hilliard; and many nieces, nephews, cousins, other family, adopted family, and friends.

He was preceded in death by his daughter, Mary Johnson Harris; parents, Lillie Mae Pendleton and Jessie Johnson; stepmother, Pearlina Johnson; stepfather, J. P. Pendleton; brothers, Thomas David Johnson and Fredrick Johnson; and sisters, Dorothy Hill and Barbara Smith.