Funeral services for Chief Herbert Glenn Johnson, 79, of Livingston, Texas, will be held Monday, August 16, 2021 at 10:00 a.m. in the Polk County Commerce Center in Livingston, Texas with Elder Debra Battise Kleinman CRE officiating. Interment will follow in the Alabama-Coushatta Indian Reservation Cemetery in Livingston, Texas. Visitation will be held Sunday, August 15, 2021, from 6:00 - 9:00 p.m., in the Cochran Funeral Home in Livingston, Texas.

Chief Johnson was born April 3, 1942 in Livingston, Texas, to parents, Thomas Jefferson Johnson and Ada Barnes (Williams) Johnson, and passed away August 9, 2021 in Stafford, Texas. He is preceded in death by his parents, wife, Deloris Johnson; sister, Vivian Celestine; brothers, Thomas Johnson and Claude Johnson; and grandson, Willis Johnson.

He is survived by his family who are all of the Alabama-Coushatta Indian Reservation; son, Davie Johnson; daughter, Retha Johnson; son, Delbert Johnson; son and daughter-in-law, Herb Johnson Jr. and Victoria; daughter and son-in-law, Heather Johnson Battise and Patrick; grandchildren, Jackson Langley, Camille Johnson, Raegan Battise, Aaliyah Johnson, Stormi Johnson, Rainy Attocknie, and Jean-Carlo Guerrero; special daughters, Blanche Thompson and Joanie Knight; brother and sister-in-law, Austin and Abilene Johnson; and sister, Darlene Williams; along with many other relatives and friends.

During his lifetime these are some of his major accomplishments:

• Principal Chief-Elect Mikko Skalaaba Herbert Johnson Sr. formally took office as the principal chief at a ceremony Jan. 1. He was elected by tribal members at a September meeting following the death of Chief Clem Fain Sylestine in May at age 91.

• Mikko Skalaaba Herbert Johnson Sr. retired in 2012 as the Tribal Security Director after serving for 21 years.

• Johnson received his law enforcement certification from Kilgore College and Angelina Criminal Justice Center as an East Texas Police Academy Basic Reserve Officer. He attended Jacksonville Baptist College on a basketball scholarship and in 1963 was honored as an All American. He also played one year at the University of Houston and played under the legendary Coach Guy V. Lewis.

• Johnson also served on Tribal Council and volunteered with the Tribe's Fire Department in the 1960s and served numerous years as a Tribal Softball and Basketball League Manager. He retired from his position on the Big Sandy School Board in Dallardsville, after serving for 48 years.

• He is a member of the Indian Presbyterian Church and is committed to preserving the Tribe's rich history, culture and language. He would like to see every child beginning school have every opportunity made available to them to further their academic career. Johnson is a member of the Beaver Clan. He was ordained Elder, Deacon, and Lay Leader at the Presbyterian Church.

• Herbert Johnson Sr. was elected as Mikko Atokla on October 5, 2013, and was inaugurated on January 1, 2014.

• Retired Tribal Security Director

• Certification from Kilgore College and Angelina Criminal Justice Center

• Attended Jacksonville Baptist College on a basketball scholarship

Pallbearers: Ronnie Thomas, Lyndon Alec, Roland Thompson, Gary Cornett, Mike Nettles, Willo Sylestine

Honorary Pallbearers: The former Tribal Security Officers, Tribal Council, Jacksonville Baptist College Alumni, Mikko Kanicu Donnis Battise

Cochran Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements. Please sign our online guestbook at www.cochranfh.com .