Johnny Cargo Sr.

Johnny Cargo, Sr. was born January 30, 1924 in Proctor, Arkansas to the late Emily Twitty. Emily Twitty later married Morris Cargo who raised Johnny as his own. He was the second of eight children. He accepted Christ at an early age. Preceding him in death are all of his siblings, one son (Johnny Cargo, Jr), and his second wife (Anne Beatrice Martin). Johnny attended New Hope School in Cross County, Arkansas, which was located in a church. Having to work in the cotton fields to help support his family, he went to school 3 months out of the year and only completed the 6th grade. But Johnny went back to school later to earn his high school diploma and also attended Culinary School at Trade Technical College in Los Angeles, California. He joined the United States Army in June of 1943 where he served for 20 years during World War II, the Korean War, and a tour in Germany. He was a member of the U.S. Army Air Corps which supported the African American 92nd Infantry Division (Buffalo Soldiers) in Italy during World War II. He retired in December 1963 as a Sergeant. After the military, he worked at Universal Studios and retired from the Aerospace Corporation in the late 1980s. Johnny married Gladys Barnes in December 1949 and this union was blessed with four sons and two daughters whom he loved and cherished. Their marriage ended in 1989. Johnny found love again and married Anne Beatrice Martin in November 1991 and she passed away in 1999. Johnny loved life and was a very caring person who met no strangers. He would have conversations with whomever he came in contact and always had a smile and a hello for all he met. He stayed on top of current events and enjoyed good conversation. His passion was cooking and he enjoyed dishing up a plate and watching you savor every bite. Johnny’s motto in life was “excellence, humility, and respect are the tools for success.” Johnny departed this life on Thursday, February 27, 2014, just 4 weeks after celebrating his 90th birthday with a party he helped to plan. He wanted family, friends, good food, dancing, and lots of fun. HE HAD IT ALL! He often said, “God only promised us 70 years and anything over that is God’s grace.” He leaves to treasure his memories: two daughters, Gladys Hampton (Tommy) and Patricia Estis; four sons, Wayne Barnes (Charlene), Linda Cargo-Montgomery (Johnny Cargo, Jr. deceased ) , Reginald Cargo (Marguerite Morgan-Cargo) and Andre Cargo; four granddaughters, Kimberly Rogers (Jerome), Ericka Cargo, Shawnae Arnick, and Isis Barnes; five grandsons, Duane Green, Kendrick Cargo (Alison), Marcus Barnes, Jamar Cargo, and John Cargo, III (Gineen); Great-grandchildren, Jerome Rogers III, Troy Hearn Jr., Jeremy Rogers, Selah Green, DeShawn Arnick, DeWayne Clark, Journy Rogers, John C. Cargo, Arthur John Cargo, Alyssa Cargo, Gavin Cargo, Destiny Barnes, Marcus Barnes, Jr., Anthony Barnes, Gael Barnes, Malachi Barnes, Anaya Barnes, Xavier Barnes, the family of Anne Beatrice Martin-Cargo, his cousin Sarah Branch, his chosen brother Roosevelt Patrick, and a host of other relatives and friends.

Tributes

Johnny Cargo Sr.

January 20, 1924 - February 27, 2014