- Date Of Death: March 23, 2010
- State: Michigan
George “Gene” E.Q. Johnson Jr, 93, a prominent Chicago attorney, died Tuesday, March 23, 2010 at his home in Lakeside, Michigan. He was the loving husband of Mary Ann (nee:Barry) Johnson, father of Charles E Johnson, stepfather of Philip W. Collins III and Tierney Eson, endearingly known as “Poppy” to the grandchildren whom he loved, Christopher Eson, Erin Collins, Michelle Eson and Mackenzie Collins.
A native of Chicago’s South Shore neighborhood, Gene attended Bryn Mawr Elementary School, University of Chicago High School, Northwestern University College and Law School. A World War II Veteran, Gene served as a LT Commander in the US Navy. As commanding officer of the USS PC 1243, a “sub chaser,” and Executive Officer of the USS Courage, Gene served in the South Atlantic, North Atlantic, Pacific, South and North China Seas. Upon returning from military service, Gene began his career as an attorney with his father, specializing in probate law. Having practiced law for well over fifty years, Gene became an authority on probate law and served as a special arbitrator for the Illinois Attorney General’s Office into his 80’s.
He was a member of the Illinois State and Chicago Bar Associations. Gene was very active in church work and was a past chairman of the Board of Trustees of Bryn Mawr Community Church in Chicago. Gene was also a member of the Harbert Community Church. Being the son of the man who prosecuted Al Capone, Gene grew up often in the company of federal law enforcement officers assigned to protect his father and family. Later in life, Gene appeared in almost a dozen TV documentaries as attorney/historian dealing with Prohibition and the Al Capone era.
