Orange Beach, Ala. – (GSN) – Jerry Johnson and his wife Yolanda have long served the beach community through civic organizations and Volunteerism. Speaking to a crowd, engaging a crowd, has never been a problem for longtime the  Orange Beach City Councilman. Once, at a town hall meeting, former Gov. Bob Riley got up to follow a presentation by Johnson, deadpanning, “If I come back to Orange Beach, y’all don’t make me follow that guy next time.”

Johnson used those skills again on June 2 at his last city council meeting. Delivering a heartfelt, touching and at the same time appreciative address, he resigned his seat so he and wife Yo can spend more time with his ailing grandson.

“63 days ago, my grandson went into the hospital, he’s 14 years old, he had a heart attack,” Johnson told the crowd. “Children’s Hospital has been working with him for the last 63 days. It has taken a lot out of Yo and me. We drive up there, we rotate, we make sure somebody’s up there in that room with him. He’s getting better and a lot of you have been sending prayers and we can’t tell you how much we thank you for that because you feel it when you’re up there. I sure do appreciate that.”

But it’s going to be a long battle for Jacob. One Johnson says he can’t help fight and keep up his obligations to the city.

“I realized pretty quick that I couldn’t have issues up there and be down here,” Johnson said. “From all the information that we have, it’s going to take another 63 to 90 days to get Jacob out of the hospital.”

Jacob, Johnson said, needs to continue to gain enough strength and stamina so he is hardy enough to undergo a heart transplant.

“The answer to the whole thing is he's got to get his strength back and he's got to eat more,” Johnson said. “Most of us say we don't need to eat more but he needs to eat more. His lungs are in good shape. All of this that he had for a long time which was so painful but he has gotten through it.”

Because of his age, Johnson said, he will be moved to the top of the transplant list when his fitness improves enough to endure the operation.

Johnson, who has served on the council since 2012, thanked the mayor and council, the police and fire chiefs and all city workers.

“These people are committed to excellence,” Johnson said. “And you can tell it by the ratings. And you can tell it by the people they are.”

Mayor Tony Kennon and councilmembers Jack Robertson, Ginger Harrelson and Robert Stuart all expressed thanks to Johnson for his leadership and work as a councilmember.

“If I’m half the councilman you are,” Robertson, a new member, said, “I’ll be ecstatic.”

Johnson was the chair of the Council’s Telecommunications and Technology Committee and served on the city’s Government Legislative Committee and the Health Care Authority Board of Directors

He worked doggedly to bring fiber internet to Orange Beach beginning as early as 2017. No small feat considering all major carriers deemed Orange Beach too small for fiber when Johnson began working on the project. Today there are multiple fiber internet providers in the city.

He represented the City on the Gulf Shores International Airport Authority Board of Directors and the Coastal Alabama Business Chamber Board of Directors. Johnson also volunteers and supports various ministries and charities in the community with his wife, Yolanda, who are 20-year residents of the city.

UPDATE:

The City of Orange Beach is expressing heartfelt gratitude and best wishes to Councilman Jerry Johnson as he steps down from the Orange Beach City Council to devote his time and energy to his family during a deeply personal health crisis. Councilman Johnson announced his resignation at Tuesday’s City Council meeting, sharing that his 14-year-old grandson, Jacob, has been hospitalized and is awaiting a heart transplant once he regains sufficient strength. Johnson, who has served the City of Orange Beach with distinction for more than 13 years, made the difficult decision after recognizing that his family's needs required his full and undivided attention. The City of Orange Beach honors his selfless commitment — both to this community and to his family — and asks residents to join in keeping Councilman Johnson, his wife Yolanda, and young Jacob in their thoughts and prayers. 

From the City of Orange Beach: The City of Orange Beach announced yesterday that Councilman Jerry Johnson will resign from the Orange Beach City Council due to family reasons.

Councilman Johnson has served the citizens of Orange Beach with dedication and integrity since being elected to the City Council, first taking office in November 2012. During his time on the council, he has been a steady and thoughtful leader, helping guide the City through continued growth while remaining deeply committed to the people, businesses and community organizations that make Orange Beach special.

“Jerry Johnson has given more than a decade of faithful service to the City of Orange Beach, and we are grateful for his leadership, his wisdom and his love for this community,” said Mayor Tony Kennon. “Jerry has always led with faith, family and service, and we fully support him and Yo as they focus on their family during this difficult time. We ask our community to keep their family in their prayers.”

In addition to his role as Chairman Pro Tem, Johnson chairs the Council’s Telecommunications and Technology Committee and serves on the City’s Government Legislative Committee and the Health Care Authority Board of Directors. He also represents the City on the Gulf Shores International Airport Authority Board of Directors and the Coastal Alabama Business Chamber Board of Directors.

Throughout Councilman Johnson’s 13-plus-year tenure, Orange Beach has achieved significant economic growth and celebrated major milestones including the creation of Orange Beach City Schools serving 1,300+ students grades K4 through 12 and one of the top school districts in the state; the opening of Orange Beach Middle and High School and the Orange Beach Performing Arts Center; the launch of major school athletic facility improvements; continued investment in transportation and infrastructure; expanded public recreation amenities and environmental initiatives. Johnson’s engineering background and steady leadership have been especially valuable as the City has navigated growth, infrastructure planning, technology needs and long-term quality-of-life investments for residents.

A graduate of the University of Alabama with a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering, Johnson retired from Alabama Power Company in 2005. A native of Bessemer, he has been a resident of Orange Beach for more than 20 years. He and his wife, Yolanda, have been active supporters of ministries, charities and community causes throughout Orange Beach and the surrounding area.

The City Council and administration remain focused on continuing the work of the City and serving the residents of Orange Beach without interruption. The City will follow the process outlined by Alabama State Law, Section 11-44G-1, which states, “A vacancy in the office of city council member in any Class 8 municipality shall be filled by the city council at the next regular meeting or any subsequent meeting of the council.” The city council has 60 days from the declaration of vacancy to make the appointment.