Virgal Lee Johnson

Celebrating the Life of Virgal Lee Johnson

Virgal Lee Johnson was born November 20,1945 to Lily Mae Porter in Marvell, Arkansas. He entered into rest on January 3, 2023. Virgal’s grandmother, Caroline made sure he and his siblings were raised in the church and blessed by God. Virgal had 6 siblings, Raymond, Willie, Paul, LaVelle, Mary Ann and Carrie Jean.

At a young age Virgal wanted to explore the US more so he moved to St. Louis to be with his uncle Jerry and sister Carrie Jean. In his early 20’s Virgal was drafted into the Army where he fought heroically in Vietnam from 1968 through 1970. As a Vietnam solider, he was a seasoned boxer and earned many rewards such as the National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal with 4 Bronze Stars, Vietnam Campaign Medal with 1960 device, Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm Leaf, 2 Overseas Bars, Sharpshooter (M-14), Expert (M-16) and the Purple Heart Medal of Honor.

After Vietnam, Virgal returned to St. Louis where he continued to accomplish great things such as getting married, becoming a father and starting his life-long journey as an entrepreneur by owning 2 gas stations. After the closing of his gas stations in 1974, Virgal moved to Indianapolis to become a pipe-fitter and welder. During this time, he remarried, had more children and rediscovered his desire to be an entrepreneur. In the city of Indianapolis Virgal owned several properties, 3 different night clubs, a soul food restaurant, a local grocery store and a furniture moving business.

Throughout his life Virgal became known for many things, such having a knack for business, loving kids, dressing very well – he loved Coogie sweaters, alligator, and snakeskin shoes. Virgal also loved traveling, telling jokes, being a puzzle expert and was a formidable gaming opponent. The games Virgal loved the most were pool, chess and blackjack as he could spend hours focused on beating his opponent. Although he didn’t win all of them, he won most games. Somewhere along the line, Virgal’s children gave him the nickname of “Pops” and his grandchildren later began calling him “Pop-Pops”. Pops was a great cook that loved to grill and enjoy all things related to being outdoors. Pops is now rejoicing in Heaven with God and our loved ones that preceded his homegoing.

Virgal was preceded in death by his mother Lily Mae, grandmother Caroline, uncle Jerry Porter, sister Mary Ann, brother Raymond, and best friend Albert Towne. Virgal leaves behind his sister, Carrie Jean Jones, his children: Christopher Scruggs (son), Tiffany Johnson (daughter), Virgal Johnson Jr. (son) and Jenna Johnson (daughter-in-law), Candice Johnson-Colter (daughter) and Coshaun Colter (son-in-law); grandchildren: Crystal Scruggs, Cheyenne Colter, Amarri Hamer, Caliyah Colter.