Dale Owens Johnson, 75, of Jacksonville, passed away quietly Saturday, February 13, 2021. He was preceded in death by his parents, Theron W. and Vernell Johnson, both of North Little Rock; sons, Chadwick Johnson, interred in North Little Rock and Jason Johnson of Jacksonville; grandmother, Lula Owens, whom he was named after and brother, Van Johnson of Heber Springs.

Dale's favorite hymn, "In the Garden" written by Charles A. Miles in 1913, says, "I come to the garden alone while the dew is still on the roses, and the voice I hear falling on my ear, the Son of God discloses. And He walks with me, and He talks with me, and He tells me I am His own; and the joy we share as we tarry there, none other has ever known."  Dale's family takes peace in knowing he is in heaven residing in the garden, walking and listening to his Heavenly Father tell him he is his own, and knowing there is joy for him now, like none other has ever known.

Dale was a 1964 Wildcat, graduating from North Little Rock's "Ole Main" High School, attending two years at University of Arkansas Little Rock in 1965 before enlisting in the United States Air Force in March of 1966.

Dale was a man of service. He proudly served his country in the United States Air Force for twenty-nine years, stateside during the Vietnam War from 1966-1975. He also was a member of the American Legion. Dale served his community as a Jacksonville Auxiliary Police Chaplain, on committees to ensure the preservation of military history in Jacksonville through the development of the marker and battlefield at the Battle of Reed's Bridge (for more information Click Here ) in conjunction with the Jacksonville Military Museum all in Jacksonville, Arkansas. He also served as security for numerous companies, such as Purina Feed in North Little Rock and annually at the Arkansas State Fair and Riverfest. In his early years, Dale was a member of the North Little Rock Jaycees. He carried on his service for his Christian family as a member of Second Baptist Church in Jacksonville for thirty-one years. Prior to that he was a member of First Baptist in Jacksonville and Baring Cross Baptist Church in North Little Rock.

Dale was a people person and an avid salesman at heart. He sold insurance, cars for Moore Ford in North Little Rock, diesel parts for Wilkerson Diesel in Sherwood, Granger's Equipment in North Little Rock and eventually real estate for Doug Wilkerson Reality in Jacksonville. But his passion was restoring and showing antique automobiles and selling 1950's memorabilia. His "baby", as he called it, was a red 1936 Ford Model-T, which he worked on constantly with his son, Jason, before his death, and took to antique car shows around the country.

Dale was a lover of animals. He was preceded in death by his Boston Terrier, "Little Man" and his cat, "Scooter". Dale is survived by his Yorkie, "Sassy". He is best known for his team of six plus geese, who regularly stopped traffic on Military Road in Jacksonville and were eventually grandfathered into the City of Jacksonville animal law because they had lived on the pond on his property for twenty plus years.
Finally, Dale was an artist. Over the past 8 years, he developed a love for adult coloring and amassed quite a collection of coloring books and coloring supplies. He even has some of his art pages featured on the walls at The Manor and Evergreen Facilities in Bryant.

Dale is survived by his wife of over forty years, Karen Johnson of Bryant; daughters Angela Carole Johnson of Little Rock and Andrea Cara and her husband, Roger Scoles of Benton; son, Ashley Clayton Johnson and his wife, Amanda, of Cabot; five grandchildren, Chadwick Allen Grimmett of Northwest Arkansas, Grayson Hunter Scoles of Benton and Cailee Johnson, Cade Johnson and Cody Burks of Cabot and one great-granddaughter, Ella-Maye Burks.

A memorial service celebrating Dale's life will be 11:30 a.m., Friday, March 5, 2021, at Moore's Jacksonville Funeral Home with full military honors and interment to follow at Arkansas State Veteran's Cemetery.  The family suggests donations in memory of Dale Owens Johnson be made to the Reed's Bridge Battlefield Fund through the City of Jacksonville or the Jacksonville Military Museum.  Arrangements by Moore's Jacksonville Funeral Home, 501-982-2136.

Due to COVID-19, masks and social distancing are required.