Saltville, Va.

Ronald Neil Johnson passed away on October 15, 2024, at his home after a brief illness. He was preceded in death by his beloved son, Timothy Paul Johnson; his parents, Paul Johnson and Opal Montgomery Johnson; his sister and brother-in-law, Carole Johnson Burkett and T. W. Burkett; and his great nephew, Christopher Evans.

Neil was a natural athlete at R. B. Worthy High School, playing all sports. He excelled in football by becoming the team's leading scorer and receiving All-conference honors. After graduating in 1962, he enrolled at Concord University and was a member of the football team for one year before deciding to join the Navy. He served in the Vietnam War in the Gulf of Tonkin. After being honorably discharged, he went back to Concord in his mid-twenties to finish his degree and resumed playing football.

Neil began his teaching and coaching career in 1972 at Princeton Junior High and Princeton Senior High Schools. The family moved to Jonesville, Virginia in 1978 when he took over as coach of the Bulldogs and promptly won the district title in his first year. His Jonesville team won several more district titles before he moved to Thomas Walker High School in 1986. His teams there also won a couple of district titles. In 1994, Neil and Rita moved back to hometown Saltville where they both taught at Northwood High School. He was the football coach and athletic director until his official retirement in 2003. His total career included being named district coach-of-the year at three different schools, Jonesville, Thomas Walker, and Northwood.

Following his retirement, he served four years as a member of the Saltville Town Council and two years as the Mayor of Saltville. Neil was an avid golfer who served on the board of the Saltville Golf Club for several years. He was also a big fan of the Clemson Tigers, his son Steve's alma mater and enjoyed their athletic events every chance he got. Harkening back to his playing and coaching days, Neil was inducted into the Smyth County Athletic Hall of Fame in 2018, an honor he was proud of and humbled by.

He is survived by his loving wife of 58 years and high school sweetheart, Rita; his son, Steve; niece, DeeDee Evans (Christopher); nephew, Tom Burkett (Lynn); great nieces and nephews, Chrysten, Caroline, Tommy, and Will, and great-great niece and nephew, Madelyne and Colten. Neil was also an animal person and will be missed by Baby, Mama, Lulu, and Lucy.

There will be a service at a later date. Rita and Steve would like to thank Neil's friends, colleagues, and former players and students who have reached out since he passed. It has meant a lot to know he will be missed.

Graveside services for Neil Johnson will be conducted at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, October 27, 2024, at Elizabeth Cemetery (new section) in Saltville, Va. with Pastor Tracy McPherson officiating.

Online condolences may be expressed at drhendersonfuneralhome.com. The D.R. Henderson Funeral Home is honored to serve the family of Ronald Neil Johnson.