Our condolences to the Johnson family and the Abingdon Volunteer Fire Department of Virginia. FireFighter Fred Johnson, 71, a 37 year veteran of the Abingdon Volunteer Fire Department, died March 28, 2002. Fred and his brother firefighters were watching training videos on Wednesday, March 27, 2002. After the videos the firefighters went downstairs where Fred missed a step and started having chest pains. Fred was transported to a local hospital where he stayed overnight. The next day he was transported to Holston Valley Hospital and Medical Center in Kingsport, Tennessee. Enroute to the hospital he went into cardiac arrest and was pronounced dead in the emergency room.

     Fred had served in the U.S. Air Force and was a member of the American Legion. Fred was active in his community on other ways also. Fred had also been a scoutmaster with the local Boy Scouts, coached Little League baseball, and Midget League football.

     Our brother Fred is survived by his wife, two grown children and two grandchildren ages three and six. Funeral services were held Sunday, March 31, 2002 at Farris Funeral Chapel, followed by the burial in Forest Hills Memory Gardens, in Abingdon, Virginia.

     The family has requested that any memorial contributions be sent to: