Carl G. Johnson

Carl George Johnson (born Carol George Johnson) came into this world on October 5, 1963, in Highgate, St. Mary, Jamaica. He was the third of three sons born to the late Alphaeus Johnson and Emily Smith.

Carl received his education at the Highgate All Age School in his town of birth and after losing his mother at the age of sixteen, entered an electrician apprenticeship with Highgate Electrical Supplies, owned and operated by Lynford Paul (Peter Paul). He worked as an electrician for several years before joining the retail staff of the company. He rose through the ranks, being promoted to supervisor then store manager. During that time, he married Andrea Paisley and the union produced two daughters, Ashleigh and Carrise.

Carl later left Highgate Electrical Supplies to start his hardware store in Port Maria, St. Mary. He successfully ran various businesses and was a champion salesman for Wisynco Group Ltd. Through this job, he traveled all over the island and his gregarious personality endeared him to people across the social spectrum. Carl was an ardent cricket fan and would dedicate hours to watching the West Indies cricket team play. He also enjoyed playing dominoes and a board game called ludo. Music played an integral role in his life. His love for music translated into him learning to play the guitar at the age of sixteen and shortly after that, he became the main guitarist at his home church, Highgate Baptist Church.

Carl also served as a deacon, youth coordinator, and lay-preacher at Highgate Baptist Church for many years. He was also an active member of the Saint Mary chapter of the Kiwanis Club of Jamaica.

In 2007, Carl immigrated to the United States and settled in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. After his divorce, he met and married his second wife, who predeceased him in April of this year. Being the hardworking person that he was, he was willing to do any job that would earn him an honest living. A few of these included positions such as maintenance worker and licensed security guard.

In January 2018, Carl was diagnosed with stage four prostate cancer. Despite this tragic news, he remained optimistic and had the will to fight this disease, which allowed him to return to work after more than one occasion of long bouts of illness and major spinal surgery. Throughout all this, his faith in God remained strong. Though he lost this battle with cancer, his perseverance and unwavering strength can serve as an inspiration to us all.

Carl is survived by his daughters, Ashleigh and Carrise Johnson; his brothers, Anthony, Desmond, Everton, and Lloyd Johnson; his sisters, Ruthlyn Lewis and Dahlia Johnson; his beloved godson, Jayson and a host of other relatives and friends