White River Jct., VT - John E. Johnson Jr., 81, died Saturday March 5, 2016 at his home in White River Jct.

He was born December 5, 1934 in Gaysville, Vt. a son of John Johnson Sr. & Eloise Johnson. John moved from Gaysville to White River Jct. with the family in 1946 and attended school in Hartford. He entered the US Navy in 1951 and was stationed at the Brooklyn Navy Yard where he met his wife of 57 years, Marion Maneggio. After returning from his military service he worked as a truckdriver, Hartford & Woodstock policeman, Service station owner, owner of Jacobs and Hanley's Taxi, the Tri-town bus, and for the last 30 years owner of The Pleasant View Motel on Rt. 4 in White River Jct. John was locally renowned as the "Christmas Tree King" for 50 plus years.

John enjoyed hunting, fishing & trapping, he also loved old country music (Hank Williams) and watching movies filmed before 1960. For many years John operated J&S gun shop and was well known as an antique dealer & appraiser.

John was predeceased by his parents & wife Marion.
He is survived by his sister Jeanne Williams of West Burke, Vt., his brother David Johnson of Westminster, Md., son John E. Johnson V of Hartford, Vt., daughter Sharon Noble of Canaan, NH, son Mark Johnson of Concord, Vt. and son Alan Johnson of Concord, Vt. John was also the proud Grandfather of 13, Great Grandfather of 13 and Great Great Grandfather of 1.

A visitation will be held at the Knight Funeral Home in White River Jct. Friday March 11th from 6-8 PM. A memorial service will be held Saturday.

Contributions in his memory may be made Bayada Hospice, PO Box 1590,Norwich, VT 05055. or Samaritans Purse, PO Box 3000, Boone, NC 28607.