Dr. John Johnson

COOKEVILLE CHAPEL - Dr. John Wilcox Johnson, 81, of Nashville, TN, passed away peacefully on Monday, August 3, 2026 at Mulberry Health. Born on June 25th, 1945 in Cookeville, TN to William Louis and Virginia Wilcox Johnson, he grew up in Cookeville and graduated from Central High School in Cookeville. He then enrolled at Tennessee Technological University where he earned his undergraduate degree in Biology. This was followed by his earning a Doctor of Medicine degree from the University of Tennessee in Memphis. Afterwards, he moved to Dallas, Texas for an Internship at Methodist Hospital, followed by a Residency and Fellowship in Anesthesiology at Parkland Hospital, which was affiliated with Southwestern Medical School.

In February, 1972, a friend of his arranged a “blind date” for him with her friend, Claire Jenkins, who became the Love of his life. They were married on September 11, 1976. This September they would have celebrated their 50th Wedding Anniversary. After they married, John practiced Anesthesiology in Dallas and San Angela, Texas before moving to Jackson, Mississippi, and Memphis, Tennessee. In 1988, they settled down in Spartanburg, South Carolina with their two young boys, Charles and William, who were 8 and 4 years old by that time. For the next 25 years, Spartanburg would be their home. John was an avid lover of the outdoors and was always up for adventure. You could often find him on a hike or rock-climbing with his sons, waterskiing on Lake Bowen, or snowboarding many of his favorite mountains around the US and Canada. He spent many years involved in Boy Scout Troop 5 with First Baptist Church as an Assistant Scoutmaster. Both of his sons earned the rank of Eagle Scout.

Throughout his life, John's sense of humor and fun personality were known to anyone around him. Another unmistakable trait was his deep and enduring faith in Jesus Christ.

John is survived by his beloved wife, Claire; son, Charles Johnson; son, William Johnson and his wife, Carolyn; grandson, Wyatt Johnson; his brother, Dr. William Louis Johnson, III and his wife, Jennie. He was preceded in death by his father, Dr. William Louis Johnson, Jr. and his mother, Virginia Wilcox Johnson.

His funeral will be held on Saturday, August 15, 2026 at 11:00 am at Cookeville Chapel. Visitation will be held on Friday, August 14, 2026 from 4:00 PM until 7:00 PM and Saturday, August 15, 2026 from 10:00 AM until time of service at Hooper, Huddleston, and Horner Funeral Home in Cookeville, TN. Burial will be in the family plots at Crest Lawn Cemetery in Cookeville, TN.

Hooper Huddleston & Horner Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. (931)526-6111. Share your thoughts and memories at www.hhhfunerals.com.