Joel Brent "Jody" Johnson departed this life on Monday, January 19, 2026, at 65 years of age. He was born on August 27, 1960, and was the son of Raymond and Clara "Tootsie" Johnson. He had one brother, Tim Johnson.

Jody was raised in Metropolis, Illinois but spent many years living and working in St. Louis, Missouri where he was ground support for Southwest Airlines. He traveled to the surrounding airport hubs to work as needed, such as Kansas City, Kansas, Memphis, Tennessee, and New Orleans, Louisiana.

After retiring, he came home to help take care of his ailing parents. Jody was a devoted son. If you sit down to visit with him, he would tell you of the many enjoyable memories he had in the family home that his father built. It's the home he came home to and spent his last days also. His Dad's chair remains sitting in the family room and his Mother's sea shells still decorate the shelves of this home they all so enjoyed.

Jody was preceded in death by his parents and his brother. He had no living relatives so his friends and neighbors became his family. He loved for you to stop by and visit as he set in his porch swing. Jody had an infectious laugh that will forever remain in our memories.

He had a special friendship with Gregg Dillard and his sons, Hayden and Layton. They became friends after Gregg passed his house and noticed him struggling to clean up a fallen tree. Gregg went home and returned with his backhoe to help remove the tree. From this day on, Gregg was his helper. He called him each morning at 4:30 am to make sure he made it through the night. This was the normal until this past Monday morning, when there was no answer. Jody had already answered the call from his Lord Jesus Christ.

Jody was cremated and there will be a private service at a later date.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Aikins-Farmer-Loftus-McManus Funeral Home. Online condolences may be made at www.aikinsfarmer-millerfh.com