Ephraim E. Johnson's Obituary
Ephraim Elijah Johnson was born on April 11, 1958 to the late Pastor Frederick Johnson and Doris Johnson in Kingston, Jamaica W.I. He completed his early education in St. Andrew, Jamaica where he enjoyed mathematics, singing, dancing and fun at the beach. He was affectionately called "Flabba, Johno, Framo and Ephy" by his family members and friends.
On July 1, 1976 Ephraim was enlisted in the Jamaica Defense Force 3JR(NR) and later was assigned to HQ Company where he served his country for 17 years. In the same year, he became a member of the 3rd Battalion Drum Core where he played the 'F' Flute and blew the Bugle. In 1980 he was appointed L/Cpl. As a Non-Commissioned Officer (NCO); he represented his company in several March and Shoot Competitions. He was also a recipient of the Jamaica Defense Force's Service Medal.
Ephraim's life was full of activities. While serving in the military he opened a Bakery, Child Care Nursery and Kindergarten School (accommodating over 50 children) along with two of his sisters, Madge and Ruth, in Kingston, Jamaica. During that time, he also worked as an Overseer at Protector Ltd. (a security company) in Kingston, Jamaica.
In 1994 he migrated to the USA where he completed his Diploma. Within weeks of his arrival, he became a producer and distributor of Coconut Drops in East Orange, NJ along with his close friend, Barry Lawrence. He also worked as a part-time Mechanic and Assistant Chief in Whippany, NJ. In 1996 he accepted a permanent position with Essex Elevator in New Jersey. At Essex Elevator, Ephraim serviced elevators locally and abroad.
In the summer of 2005, he moved to Florida where he started a Landscaping company. He had four employees. Three years later, Ephraim moved back to New Jersey and was re-employed with Essex Elevator.
In the summer of 2008, while working at Essex, Ephraim started an Entrepreneurial Wheelchair Repair business. The following year, he moved to Georgia where he took on an assignment as Liaison Officer of Precision Trucking (a freight and removal company) until the summer of 2011. After which, he continued fulltime with the Wheelchair Repair business. He became ill in early January 2020.
Ephraim loved to travel. He was very comical and jovial, and was the main attraction at family and friends’ gatherings. His sense of humor was not limited to family circles but wherever he went. He was the Shining Star on "THE OLD BOYS CLUB." (A forum of former Jamaica Defense Force 3JR(NR) Personnel). A few weeks before Ephraim passed on, he had a pleasant and surprised visit from three of his comrades, which he constantly spoke about. They took him to one of his favorite restaurants where they shared treasured memories. We dare not mention names as his friends and comrades were so many.
The following is an extract from his last message to the brothers on 'The Old Boys Club:'
"Morning to the young boys and the old boys on The Old Boys Club. Flabba checking in. You know the funny thing is, I feel a peace within myself. I can't explain it...I have no emptiness within me...I feel a inner peace, I can't explain it. Is like I am going home to somewhere I have been already. I am going home to eat some rice and peas and chicken...It's like I am not going to a sad place...I feel a cleansing brethren...I feel an inner peace. Just ready. I don't know if you understand what I am saying...I don't have any thing on my mind that I am worrying about, it's just a cleansing....That keep you going until the Father is ready to take you. It's just an inner peace. I don't know where it's coming from. A so me feel. Me ready...."
On Tuesday, March 29, 2022 Ephraim passed away at The Plaza Health & Rehab Center, Gainesville, Florida. He was loved by his family and friends, and will forever be remembered. Ephraim is survived by his loving brothers; Joseph, Carlton and Timothy; sisters, Deloria, Ruth, Madge and Hilret; brother-in-law Michael; 7 nieces and 9 nephews; cousins and a host of grandnieces and grandnephews; close friend Pauline, many dear friends and a vast number of Military Comrades.
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