Dr. Kirby Knox Johnson

Dr. Kirby Knox Johnson, Sr., age 90, a retired veterinarian of Fairburn, passed away Saturday, August 8, 2015. He was the son of the late Reuben Lee and Sarah Iona Kirby Johnson. Dr. Johnson was born in Graymont, GA, in 1924. He was an excellent student who deeply loved nature. He took great pride in his rise to the rank of Eagle Scout in the Fairburn chapter of the Boy Scouts of America. At age 16, he entered Auburn University and finished with a degree in veterinary medicine in 1946. He was member of the Omega Tau Sigma fraternity. He married his childhood sweetheart, Betty Jean Turnipseed of Atlanta, in 1946. After two years of service in the Mexican-American commission for the eradication of aftosa fever, appointed by the U. S. government to prevent the spread of foot-and-mouth disease in Mexico, the young couple moved to Fairburn. He set up his practice as a large and small animal veterinarian and proudly served the south Metro Atlanta area for more than 60 years. His love for his profession and for people, in general, garnered him a widespread reputation of kindness and generosity, and as one who never met a stranger. But the thing he considered his greatest accomplishment was the home that he and his wife blessed with ten children. The house itself was an ante bellum home place that he and his wife renovated in 1952. Dr. Johnson lost his beloved wife to cancer in 1991, after 45 years of marriage. Turning to his longstanding love of music and song, he joined the Fayetteville chapter of the Barbershop Harmony Society, where he joyously sang for a number of years. Dr. Johnson was a wonderful father, a loyal friend, a true patriot, and a devout Christian. In his 90 years, he profoundly and positively affected the lives of many. He was person of goodness and integrity, and will be missed by everyone he has left behind. He was also preceded in death by his daughter, Sandra Dahl and is survived by daughters, Celia Clay and her husband Dwight of Fairburn, Angela Shartar of Marietta, Melanie Cooper of Hickory, NC, Eugenia Johnson and her husband Francisco of Dayton, OH, Jennifer McEwen and her husband Homer of Mableton; sons, Kirby Knox Johnson, Jr. of Palmetto, Lee Johnson and his wife Rhonda of Palmetto, Eric Johnson and his wife Beth of Tyrone, Mark Johnson of Peachtree City; 18 grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren. A funeral service will be held Tuesday, August 11, 2015 at 1 o’clock at Peachtree City Christian Church with remains placed in state at 12 o’clock. Dr. George Dillard officiating. Interment will follow at Holly Hill Memorial Park. Charitable donations in lieu of flowers should be made to the American Wildlife Federation. Those wishing may sign the online guestbook at www.parrottfuneralhome.com. The family will receive friends on Monday evening from 5:00 until 8:00 p.m. at Parrott Funeral Home & Crematory, 770-964-4800.

Dr. Kirby Knox Johnson

September 29, 1924 - August 8, 2015