Biography: “Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, Believe also in me.”

Isaac “Leonard” Johnson, the son of the late John Morris and Carrie Means Johnson, was born September 26, 1926 in Little Rock, Arkansas.  He departed this life on October 27, 2021. He was a retired music educator with the Little Rock School District.

As an early teen, Isaac was inspired to learn to play the saxophone. He endeavored to purchase his own instrument and learned to play under the tutelage of other local musicians.   He toured with several bands in the late 1940’s and was band leader at Little Rock’s Westwood Club during the 1960’s.  Isaac earned a B.A. degree in Music from The University of Arkansas at Little Rock and later earned a Master’s Degree in Music from Henderson State University.

Isaac taught instrumental music at Dunbar Jr. High School. He was lovingly known as “Mr. J” by his students. Under his direction, Dunbar’s School Band was awarded First Division in 1983, 1986, 1987 and 1992 at the Arkansas State Board and Orchestra Associations Region VI Band Festival. He impacted the lives of many music students during his 30-year career with the Little Rock School District.

Isaac was a lifelong member of Allison Presbyterian Church where he served in many capacities.  He performed his duties faithfully along with his wife Norma.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Norma Grace Hampton Johnson, two brothers, John Johnson II and Thomas Johnson, and a daughter, Eileen Johnson Hardware.

Isaac will live on in the cherished memories of three daughters, Gwendell Carr of Detroit, MI, Cherie Brooks (William) of Dallas, TX and  Lenette Summerville (Mark) of Wayland, MA, five nephews, John Johnson III (Carol) of Ghent,NY, David Johnson (Barbara) of Los Angeles, CA and Thomas Johnson, Jr. of Los Angeles, CA, Hilary Guest (Mary) of Beaumont, TX, and Francell Guest of Little Rock, AR,  four  nieces, Sandra Johnson Fauntroy of Atlanta, GA and Monica Johnson Tucker of Atlanta, GA, Janet Harris of Rowlett, TX, Sheila Sims of Chicago, IL, seven grandchildren, Solomon Cobbs, William Carr, Christopher Carr, Erik Carr, Colin Brooks, Justin Brooks, and Gracelen Summerville, four great grandchildren and a host of other loving relatives and friends.