Chester "Chet" Johnson

   Mr. Chester Opel "Chet" Johnson of Albany, Kentucky, passed away Wednesday, November 16, 2022 at the Medical Center in Albany, Kentucky, having attained the age of 98 years, 1 month and 23 days. He was born in Albany, Kentucky on Wednesday, September 24, 1924, the son of William Thomas and Gracie Pearl (Albertson) Johnson. He was a Christian man of the Pentecostal faith, a Mason, and a retired electrician. As a teenager he joined the CCC's which was one of President Roosevelt's programs to help bring America out of the Great Depression. Chester helped build trails throughout the Great Smoky Mountains and ran electrical lines to bring power to rural Appalachian homes.  When the U.S. entered WWII, Chester entered the U.S. Navy where he served on many ships during WWII, the Korean Conflict, and Vietnam. While in the Navy, he honed his skills as an electrician. In addition, during his military service, he also entertained many people with his self-taught musical talents. Chester retired as an officer after 26 years of service in the U.S. Navy and built a successful electrical contracting business in California. Chet was an ordained minister and recorded a gospel album in Nashville, Tennessee with The Oak Ridge Boys as back-up vocals. He entertained and preached at many churches and long-term care facilities over the years. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his siblings, Vernon Johnson, Margie Johnson, Helen Johnson, Ivadean Johnson, Nita Johnson, children, Ellen Johnson,  and Paula Lee Johnson.

    He is survived by his children, Teresa Howard of Lenoir City, Tennessee, Rebecca (& Michael) Friley of Knoxville, Tennessee, Barbara (& Bobbie) LaFromboise, siblings, Tommy Ralph Johnson and Bill Johnson of Warrenton, Oregon, many relatives, and friends.

    The funeral service was conducted on Sunday, November 20, 2022 at 1:00 p.m. in the Chapel of Campbell-New Funeral Home in Albany, Kentucky, with Bro. Greg Wells officiating. Casket bearers were members of the Monticello DAV Chapter 105.  Burial was in the Cedar Hill Cemetery in Clinton County, Kentucky.  Campbell-New Funeral Home was honored to be in charge of all the arrangements.

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