Friends, family, colleagues, and coaches say goodbye to Lawrence Johnson

ALAMOGORDO – Hundreds of friends, family members, athletes, colleagues, and former students gathered on Monday afternoon to say goodbye to a beloved man and larger than life figure in New Mexico high school sports.

Lawrence Johnson passed away on Oct. 2 after a battle with cancer. A service for Johnson was held in the Tiger Pit at Alamogordo High School.

Johnson retired from Alamogordo Public Schools after 42 years of service as a coach, teacher, guidance counselor and athletic director. Born and raised in Alamogordo, Johnson was married for 49 years to fellow Alamogordo resident Carolyn Wagoner Johnson.

MORE:Viewing, funeral service date set for longtime Alamogordo coach, educator Lawrence Johnson

In accordance with Johnson’s wishes, his daughter-in-law Lolita Sheriow said she wanted the service to be a very upbeat celebration.

To that end, in between songs and prayers, speakers stood in front of a casket adorned with flowers and tiger statues, to reflect on Johnson’s love of his family and sports, and on the guidance Johnson gave them.

“He was a great brother and a family man,” said Regina Wright, one of Lawrence’s three sisters. “My husband and gave him the nickname “the Godfather” because any time anybody called him, he was always there for them, he listened, he provided for us, he took care of us, he kept us strong, he kept us together, because he was totally about family.”

Longtime friend Mike Kizer said he couldn’t remember when he met Johnson, but that he had some sharp elbows on the basketball court.

“I was on the school board when Lawrence Johnson was appointed athletic director. I don’t think we made a mistake because he was on it for 21 years. Lawrence was always there for the kids,” Kizer said.

Wilson Holland said that Johnson’s guidance changed the course of his life, even if the lessons were hard to take at the time. Johnson cut him from the basketball team in eighth grade as a tough-love lesson to help straighten his life out, Holland said, and was again there when Holland began teaching alongside Johnson and was going through a similarly rough time.

“I know he was your father,” Holland said, turning to the family. “But he raised a lot of us.”

Howard Jackson, Johnson’s nephew, said that his uncle helped him attend college and travel to a job interview that ended up launching his own career.

“Lawrence was the answer I’d always been looking for,” Jackson said.

Jerrett Perry, who took over as athletic director in 2014 when Johnson retired, said he was nervous meeting someone of Johnson’s reputation and humbled by the task of following in his shoes.

“He literally made an impact on thousands of kids. I will never, ever forget him.” he said. “He is one of the most honored and respected men in the state of New Mexico.”

MORE:Former Alamogordo AD Lawrence Johnson earns national award

Throughout the service, a banner hung on the wall offering Johnson’s simple but inspiring motto: “Remember, sports are good for kids.”

Following the service at the high school, Johnson was interred at Monte Vista Cemetery.

“He was Superman,” said former AHS band director Johnny Lang. “And he knew when to take off his cape.”