Edwin Roy Johnson of Milano went to his eternal reward Nov. 8, 2025.
Edwin was a faithful member of the Milano Church of Christ.
He left behind his wife, Kelli McKee Johnson, and some children—some with his blood running in their veins, some which were adopted, some not adopted and many others to which he was a father figure—his son, Adam Johnson, and wife Tara and their children, Gracy, Randy, Charlotte, Hillary, Carly and Selina; Edwin’s daughter, Amanda Johnson, and Amanda’s children, Michael “Mikey” and Kalilou; another son, Jacob Johnson; also, Berry Young, Mike Coleman; and a brother, Gary Johnson, and family; as well as, 12 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.
Edwin married Kelli McKee June 17, 1980, 45 years ago; 49 total years together. They renewed their wedding vows on Valentines Day, Feb. 14, 2007.
He was preceded in death by his first wife; also, Aunt Audrey Gambrell; his mom and dad, Audrae and Roy Johnson of Austin (there are five Audreys and Audraes); an adopted son, Berry Young; and Kelly’s mom, LaraLane McKee.
Edwin was a mechanic and a good one. If you walked in on him, you would think he had a helper, but he was just telling himself how to fix it. If they didn’t bring the parts to him fast enough, he would send his 13-year-old daughter, Amanda, to get them. She is now a “field educated” manager at Auto Zone.
He loved church. Edwin had the number of many songs he loved and loved to lead written in the back of his song book. His favorite was “You are the Song That I Sing” (#990); “To Canaan’s Land I’m on My Way” (#694); “We Will Glorify the King of Kings” (#738); “Oh Come, Angel Band” (#441, Kelly’s favorite); “Have Thine on Way, Lord” (#197); “Lamb of God” (#950), “Teach Me Lord to Wait” (#684); “Sing to Me of Heaven” (#583); “My Hope is Built on Nothing Less” (#438); “My Latest Sun is Sinking Fast” (#441); and #989, the way the Crowes sing it, “You are My All in All.” As a Crowe and Edwin as my best friend I will tell you, we don’t get it just right. And Edwin could read music. He knew that but he still loved #990.
He also loved hunting, fishing, fixing anything mechanical and taking his granddaughter, Kalilou, for a ride on his motorcycle after work. Or, maybe she had him wrapped around her little finger? I really don’t think he liked these things more than he liked going to church. He tried on different occasions to get myself and others to sneak him out of the hospital and take him to worship God.
Yes, Nov. 8, 2025, I lost my all-time favorite running buddy. I have had a lot of friends over the years but never one I connected with like Edwin. We liked the same things from picking on our wives to XXXX Hot Cajun shrimp and crawfish.
The family and church family of Edwin will have a celebration- of-life lunch for Edwin at the Milano Civic Center (often called the Community Center) at 120 W. Ave. E, in Milano on Saturday, Nov. 22, at 12-noon. Please come join us in celebrating his life and share some stories with us.
In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the Cameron Food bank at the thrift store, located at 300 S, Houston Ave. in Cameron; or just give lunch to someone in need, as Edwin did many times.