Allen “AJ” Johnson, 58, passed away peaceably on Thursday, May 26, 2016. Allen was the youngest son of Kenneth D. and Joyce (Bowen) Johnson Sr. of Covington. At an early age, he attended and joined the First United Methodist Church of Covington. He grew up and lived his early adult life in Covington. After graduating Newton County Comprehensive High School in 1976, he later earned a degree form Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College (ABAC). Allen was a born mechanic and loved working with his hands. This led him into several employment paths, always showing his gift of resourcefulness and problem solving. He worked in the hazardous waste clean-up field for several years, which allowed him to travel the United States. He always looked at each new job as a challenge and an adventure to a new place. After this endeavor, he owned and operated a successful trucking and hauling business. Finally he relocated to the Black Mountain area of North Carolina where he did everything from heavy equipment operator and construction to working for Ingles Foods in one of their distribution centers.

Allen or “AJ” as many of his friends called him was an adventurous type and enjoyed pushing the limits and life itself. He was an excellent water skier, and learned to ride bulls when he was a student at ABAC; these were the start to the wide-open lifestyle he enjoyed. He enjoyed working on motorcycles and muscle cars. He always seemed to have fast cars in his earlier adulthood. After moving to Black Mountain, North Carolina he enjoyed motorcycle rides into the mountains and spending time with friends. He always had some project he was working on and loved helping others with their projects.

Allen is survived by his brother Kenneth (Ken) D. Johnson Jr. and wife Sally, of Bostwick, along with a nephew David and Jessica Johnson; two great nephews Chase and Dallas; two aunts, Emma Bowen and Charlotte Johnson all of Covington and several cousins. While Allen was never married or had children of his own, he did have a special young friend who he loved and cared for like a son, Jack Edwards, and a friend “Mr. Paul” Gendron both of Black Mountain, North Carolina. Per his wishes, Allen’s body will be cremated and ashes scattered over Jackson Lake, with some ashes being interred next to his parents in Lawnwood Memorial Park, with a small graveside service at a later date. No visitation is planned.
Condolences can be made to the family at ashevilleareaalternative.com.