Life's Beginning

A precious bundle of joy was delivered to the late Walterine Wildee and John Carson on April 16, 1957 in Vicksburg, Mississippi. That gift was a bouncing baby boy they named Lester Lydell Johnson. His childhood was spent in the King's Community where he attended Warren County Schools. Lester was a gifted athlete and standout basketball player for the Warren Central High School Vikings where he received his high school diploma in 1976.



A Wonderful Life

Lester's basketball career began at Iowa Western Junior College in Council Bluffs, Iowa. He was then recruited by Jim King, former head coach of the University of Tulsa, to join the Golden Hurricanes. As a three year Letterman for the Golden Hurricane's he earned numerous basketball accolades. While attending "TU" he met his future wife Glenda Johnson. He graduated from Tulsa University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Recreation Management on May 1980. On August 21, 1982 he married the love of his life, Glenda Johnson and from this union five beautiful children were born.

Following graduation, Lester enjoyed a prosperous career in industry, however, his love and passion was for helping children. In the late 80's he began volunteering to help the boy's basketball program at Edison High School in Tulsa. He later became the assistant men's coach at Central High School, under Terry Scott where they won two State Championship titles. He then became the head girl's coach for Central High School. From this point on in his life, Lester could be found somewhere around the sport of basketball. He coached at both the middle and high school level, boys and girls and coached AAU summer leagues. Lester felt that there was an unmet need for competitive basketball opportunities for young boys and girls, which emphasized the "Team Concept" in game situations as well as within their community. From this he founded the Tulsa Titans which is a basketball league, named by his wife, which is still operational today.

Lester was affectionately known as "Coach Johnson" and left his mark on the lives of many of Tulsa's youth, both boys and girls. His last coaching position was head men's coach at Nathan Hale High School where he remained until May 2009

Lester was a devoted husband, a great father, brother, son and friend. He was a great humanitarian, he never met a stranger, and greeted everyone with a genuine smile and that "special laugh". He was a compassionate and a true friend to all that knew him. He was affectionate and was a true family oriented person that loved and cared for his wife, children and friends and family.



Life's Ending

Lester accepted Jesus Christ as his personal savior at a young age. He recommitted his life to Christ as his body was challenged physically. What both he and his family saw, was God's loving grace and favor being manifested on daily basis. Lester assumed and continued his role as the spiritual head of his household until his life's journey ended Wednesday October 7, 2009. The Angels visited Lester at his earthly home and summed him to his eternal home.



Preceding him in death was his mother, the late Walterine Johnson Wildee, and his Grandparents the late Walter and Gertrude Johnson. Lester leaves to cherish his memories: his wife, Glenda Johnson, one son, Lester (Skip) Johnson Jr., four daughters, Chanel Johnson, Brittany Johnson, Jennifer Johnson, and Denise Johnson all of Tulsa, Oklahoma, three sisters, Shirley Williams, Senobia (Robert) Bunch and Jackie Ferguson all of Vicksburg, Mississippi; four brothers, James Wildee Jr., Malcolm Carson and AJ Carson; of Vicksburg, Mississippi, and Roderick (Tyra) Johnson of Pine Bluff, Arkansas; one mother-in-law, Gertrude Johnson, two brother-in-laws George Edward Johnson Jr., of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and Gerald Johnson of Dusseldorf, Germany. One sister- in-law, Gale Johnson of Burlington, New Jersey and also a special family member Chesteena Bishop of Lafayette, Louisiana; along with a host of nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, cousins, relatives and friends.

Services for "Coach Johnson" will be Friday October 16, 2009 at 10AM at Greenwood Christian Center in Tulsa. Visitation will be from 12noon to 6PM on Thursday, and a wake will be held from 6PM-7PM. Flowers may be delivered on Thursday.