Otis "Kelly" Johnson, Sr., 84, of New Bedford died October 31, 2008 at St. Luke's Hospital after a brief illness.
He was the husband of the late Marie A. (Freeman) Johnson.
Born in Kerns, TX, the son of the late Alphonse and Willieola (Davis) Johnson, he lived in Newport, RI and New Bedford most of his life.
Mr. Johnson served in the U.S. Army during World War II before retiring from the U.S. Navy after 28 years of service. He later was employed as a longshoreman with I.L.U. local #1465 for many years until retirement.
Mr. Johnson was member of the Cape Verdean-American Veterans Association, the Improved Benevolent Protective Order of Elks of the World Carney Lodge #200, the Band Club and the Y-A Club.
Survivors include his 5 sons, Craig Johnson of Cape Coral, FL, Otis Johnson, Jr., Terrance Johnson, Bradley Gomes and Stuart Gomes, all of New Bedford; 4 daughters, Karleen Johnson of Cape Coral, FL, Lisa Johnson-Bundy and Janice Gomes, both of New Bedford and Ginger Gomes of South Carolina; many grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews.
He was the father of the late Sandra Gomes and the brother of the late Mattie Mae Davis.
His Funeral Service will be held on Friday, November 7th at 10 AM in the International Church of the Nazarene. Burial will follow in St. John's Cemetery. Visiting hours Thursday, November 6th from 2-4 and 7-9 PM in the Saunders-Dwyer Home for Funerals, 495 Park St., New Bedford.