A funeral service for Joel Russell Johnson, 71, of Marshall will be held at 2pm, Sunday, December 27, 2015 in the Chapel of Downs Funeral Home. Visitation will take place from 5pm to 7pm Saturday, December 26, 2015 also at Downs Funeral Home. Mr. Johnson passed away Tuesday, December 22, 2015.

Joel Russell Johnson was born August 25, 1944 to Jay and Gladys Bearden Johnson in Marshall, Texas. He proudly served his country in the United States Navy during the Cuban Missile Crisis. Russell retired from Union Pacific Railroad as a train conductor after 38 years. In his spare time you could often find him hunting or fishing. He was an avid outdoorsman and loved participating in bass tournaments. When not spending time on the lakes or in the woods, you could often find Russell reading about wildlife, studying history and geography or watching The Waltons. He loved good southern cooking.

Joel Russell Johnson is survived by his wife, Cloretta Anice Johnson of Marshall; son, Jay Robert Johnson of Marshall; son, Levi Chad Vona of Bellevue, WA; daughter, Mishala "Missy" Talau and husband, Kali of Fayetville, AR; sister, Bebe Jay Tibbitts of Marshall; grandchildren, Roy Cody "Bear" Stapp IV, Joseph Colby Stapp, Machios "Chi" Talau; great-grandchild, Calin Ryley Stapp; and a number of nieces, nephews and cousins. He is preceded in death by his parents, one daughter, Cherylle Renee Stapp; one son, Joel Russell Johnson, Jr; and great-grandson, Roy Cody Stapp V.

Serving as pall bearers; Machios Talau, Kali Talau, Joseph Stapp, Levi Chad Vona, Chris Glanton and Lee Briggs. Honorary pall bearers: Dennis Glanton, Tommie Glanton, Tony Glanton, Stevie Chambers and Daryl Ware.