Eddie Ray Johnson, Sr. vanished into the mystic on Tuesday, December 2, 2025.
Eddie was born at home in a cabin in Pippa Passes, Kentucky on August 14, 1948, the fourth child of Clifton “Dock” and Lovella Johnson. Eddie grew up in the Milan area, where he spent most of his life before moving to Osgood in 2005. He was 14 years old when he decided he would marry Deborah Kissell, and in five years’ time, she agreed. Eddie and Debbie married on February 17 1968. Debbie was the love of his life, and together, they raised three children: Lisa (Alfred) Sellers, Eddie “Chopper” (Tricia) Johnson Jr. of Osgood, and Cindy (Tim) Cottingham of Milan. Eddie enjoyed cars and spent his free time buying and fixing up old cars, only to sell them and start again. He loved wheeling and dealing, but would never take advantage of anyone, always ensuring a fair trade. Eddie retired from a long career with the International Union of Operating Engineers, Local 181, where he was known as an expert earth mover and crane operator and a creative practical joker. Eddie and Debbie shared an entrepreneurial spirit. Over the years, they owned and operated a garage and grocery store in Elrod, a bar in Milan, a food truck (The Weiner Wagon,) a flea market booth, and an antique business, Recollections, in Osgood. They even created their own brand of guitar strings, “Old Hippie Strings” which Eddie had wound to his exact specifications. He loved music and spent much of his youth picking and singing in backyards, bluegrass festivals and other “Big Razoos.” Later, he greatly enjoyed following Chopper in his musical endeavors, rarely missing a show before his health declined. Eddie was a devoted son, brother, husband, father and grandfather. Known as Pappy, he thoroughly enjoyed time spent with his precious children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, all of whom adored him. Eddie never met a stranger and made friends everywhere he went. He was always ready to help anyone in need and never passed a broken down car without stopping to help. He loved his early morning phone calls with his cousins, friends and sister, especially his buddy “Colonel Parker.” He loved bourbon, bacon and cigarettes. He was strong and brave and loving and smart and funny, and he could not be trusted with a water hose. He was a joker to the end, keeping the nurses and hospital staff laughing despite his own pain. Eddie was loved far and wide and will be profoundly missed by all who knew him.
Eddie was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers, Belvis Johnson of Pippa Passes, KY and Garry Johnson of Milan. In addition to his wife and children, Eddie is survived by three grandsons, Joshua (Justine), Nicholas (Kelsey) and Matthew (Lauren) Yatsko, one granddaughter, Sara (Drew) Pate, and eight great-grandchildren, Lucy, Nolen, Layne, Adeline, Madison, Lilly, Elizabeth, and Benjamin Yatsko. He is also survived by his siblings Maxine (Harold) Parks of Batesville, Leroy (Ann) and Astor (Judy) Johnson of Milan, and Stella Lloyd of Owensboro, KY, sister-in-law Jeanie Johnson of Milan, and many nieces and nephews. Eddie was a proud member of the Milan & Osgood Masonic Lodges and the Southeastern Indiana Shrine Club.
Per Eddie’s request, no services will be held at this time, but a celebration of life will be planned at a later date. Laws Carr Moore funeral home was entrusted with his remains. Memorial contributions may be made to Shriners Children’s Hospitals, Saint Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital or Interim Hospice or by simply doing an act of kindness in his honor. Eddie would like to thank all who walked beside him on this journey through life. What a long, strange trip it’s been. ☮️
Laws-Carr-Moore Funeral Home has been entrusted with arrangements: PO Box 243, Milan, IN 47031; (812) 654-2141. Please visit our website at www.lawscarrmoore.com to share your condolences and memories of Eddie.