Menu
Terry Johnson
SIKESTON — Terry Lynn Johnson, 67, of Sikeston entered into the arms of his Savior on Wednesday, Dec. 1, 2021, at Baptist Health in Paducah, Kentucky.
Terry was born on May 25, 1954, in Scott County, Missouri, to the late Joseph A. Johnson and Bessie B. (Curtner) Johnson. He was a 1973 graduate of Thomas W. Kelly High School in Benton, Missouri.
On Dec. 1, 1973, he and Saundra Gail (Sondi) Belk were united in marriage in Scott County. They enjoyed a life together living on her family's farm in rural Benton. Terry became one of the main farmers to the rather large family row crop operation before retiring from farming in 2002. During their 37-year marriage, Terry and Saundra were blessed with their one and only child, a son, Justin. After his retirement from farming, they returned to Terry’s family property in rural Sikeston and built a home there. On Feb. 11, 2011, Saundra preceded him in death.
Terry came to know the Lord early on in his life and later re-dedicating his life always saying reciting the phrase “I know that I know.” He spent many years leading worship and enjoyed singing specials with his wife and sister. He was a member of the Old Bethel Baptist Church just outside of Sikeston. The Johnsons were most notably recognized as being a dirt track racing family.
Terry started his racing career in his teens racing at local dirt tracks in the tri-state area. Throughout the mid-’70s and ’80s he progressed from lower-level divisions to later competing in the late model division running the family owned #57 machine. In 1991, Terry joined forces with Alan and LeAnn Wright to form a new racing team running under the #1A. During the years they were together, he racked up many feature wins, as well as a track championship two different years at the former Missouri International Race Park in Benton. Along with that accomplishment, he became one of the most winningest drivers at that facility. After Terry parted ways from the Wrights, he ventured back out with the family-owned car running an open-wheel modified and a crate late model for a few years before finally hanging up his suit in 2008.
Terry is survived by his son, Justin Lynn Johnson of Paducah; a granddaughter, Landry Wade Johnson of Bertrand, Missouri; three brothers, Donnie, Ronnie (Janet) and Rev. Amos (Doris) Johnson all of Sikeston; four sisters, Geneva Greenlee, Lois Kirk, Linda (Carl) McClain and Joyce Holmes all of Sikeston.
In addition to his parents and wife, he was preceded in death by one brother, Lloyd Johnson; and one sister, Evelyn Limbaugh.
Visitation will be from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 3, 2021, at the Old Bethel Baptist Church. Funeral service will be at 10 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 4 at the church with the Rev. Amos Johnson, Rev. Steven Vester and the Rev. Brent Horton officiating.
Interment will follow in the Silent Hill Cemetery near Sikeston alongside his wife.
Pallbearers will be: Aaron Johnson, Billy Davis, Kaleb Jones, Corey Lowe, Darren Roper, Kevin Roslen, Philander “Skeeter” Phelps and Larry Lasater.
Honorary pallbearers will be: Alan Wright, James Hall, Larry Halter, Budd Bowles, Chris Hall and Todd Gosche.
McMikle Funeral Home of Sikeston is in charge of arrangements.
Online condolences may be shared at www.mcmiklefuneralhome.com.