Rodney Brian Johnson

Rodney Brian Johnson was born on April 20, 1957, in Birmingham, Alabama to Mary Lu Johnson and Rodney Cooper. He passed away after a valiant battle with Multiple Myeloma on September 17, 2023. Rod graduated Erwin High School in 1975. He then went on to get his BS in Communications from the University of Alabama in 1980 before taking a sabbatical of sorts and moving to Colorado. There he dabbled in disc jockeying, being a roadie for a band and got plenty of time on the ski slopes. Thankfully, his southern blood did not quite hold up to the winter climate, so he moved back to Alabama one year later. Once back in Birmingham, Rod attended UAB to gain his Teaching Certificate. He then went on to teach and coach at Shelby Academy from 1982-85. He started his 37-year career with the Jefferson County Board of Education in 1986. Rod earned his master’s in educational leadership from UAB in 1992 and began his career in administration within JefCoEd. Throughout his career, Rod was influential in the lives of countless students and colleagues, leaving no child uninspired, no athlete un-coached, and no teacher un-mentored. In 2000, he met his cherished life partner, Pam Johnson. They married in 2003 and have spent the past 23 years enjoying the most life has to offer by raising their blended families, becoming grandparents and attending as many concerts and Alabama football games as they possibly could. Rod left every room he exited happier than he found it. His two non-living loves in life were football and music. He could tell you every play of the last drive of the 1985 Iron Bowl and the set list from his last Jason Isbell show; perhaps even tying the two together in the same sentence. He had a smile you could spot a mile away, a laugh that travelled even further, and a knack for proving that growing up is a futile endeavor. His undeniable moral compass came naturally and fueled his lifelong journey of faith and an unmatched anchoring of his family. Rod was a charter member of Clearbranch Methodist Church in Trussville. His faith was very important to him, and he attended Clearbranch (and his beloved small group) until he was unable. Rod is survived by his wife of 20 years, Pam Johnson. His children, Caroline Johnson, Jenna (Max) Spicer and granddaughter Mae, Megan (Tim) Graham and grandchildren Cooper and Hannah, Matt (Meredith) Kirkland and grandchildren Landon and Whitley. His siblings, Terry (Sammy) Sanfilippo, and Brian (Cindy) Cooper. His parents, Mary Lu Johnson, Johnny Johnson, and Rodney Cooper. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Clearbranch Methodist Church in Rod’s memory. “Always remember there was nothing worth sharing like the love that let us share our name”. - The Avett Brothers Roll Tide!

Rodney Brian Johnson

April 20, 1957 - September 17, 2023