Ernest Luke Johnson, 62, of Flowery Branch, Georgia, passed away on June 8, 2022, from an unexpected heart attack. Even though a failing heart took him away from this world, his loving heart left an indelible imprint on everyone whose lives he touched.
Funeral Services will be 3:00 p.m., Tuesday, June 14, 2022 at Memorial Park South Funeral Home. The family will receive friends 1:00 – 3:00 p.m., Tuesday, June 14, 2022 at Memorial Park South Funeral Home.
On May 27th, 1960, a legend was born in Grand Rapids, Michigan to Morris and Diane Johnson. At the age of 8, his family moved to Lapeer, Michigan, where he spent his entire childhood and teen years. He graduated from Lapeer East High School in 1978. He then began his construction career, working for Coulter Building, where he learned and grew his knowledge of the industry.
In 1980, he married the love of his life, Shery Ann Gepfrey. Together they raised three of the most amazing sons that anyone could ask for. In 1992, the family moved to Gainesville, Georgia, where Ernie found his forever extended family at Composite Construction System, Inc. (CCSI), in Columbus, Georgia. He served as Senior VP of Field Operations. He had an “unheard of” work ethic, and drive for company success. He never gave in to second best! Through his weekly work travels, Ernie made countless, lifelong industry friends from coast to coast, who knew the knowledge and integrity that he had to offer. Ernie always looked forward to going out and meeting with people on the jobsite or the golf course!
In March of this year, Ernie had a below the knee amputation, after many, many years of living with pain and difficulty walking. He never let this beat him. He set personal goals for himself, like getting back to work in four weeks. He did it in five! He wanted to be fitted for, and up walking on his prosthesis, without his crutches, by his birthday. He met that goal. He walked upstairs and around the house on his own! His next goal, to be golfing by the end of June. On June 4th Ernie was golfing!
Ernie is survived by his wife of 42 years, Sheryl; sons, Jason (Sarah) and Caleb (Kayla); grandchildren, Cloe, Alexis, Lauren, Jase, Ryleigh, Zeke, and Ryder; siblings, Morris (Suzette) Johnson, and Laura (Jeff) Edall; father and mother-in-law, Willis and Patricia Gepfrey; aunt and uncle, Arthur and Sandy Shmitt; several nieces, nephews, and cousins; and CCSI work family- Vaughn Dobbins, Dannette Martinez, Justin Yates, Lee Durrough, Brandy Ethridge, Willie Williams, Ashley Wells, and all the amazing work crews who he appreciated for their hard work and dedication to the job.
He is proceeded in death by his parents, Morris and Diane Johnson; sister, Lynette Domorsky; son, Joshua Luke Johnson; and fur baby Bella.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105, (901) 595-3300, www.stjude.org
Memorial Park South Funeral Home, 4121 Falcon Parkway, Flowery Branch, Georgia 30542 is in charge of arrangements. Send on-line condolences to www.memorialparkfuneralhomes.com
