RV industry veteran Sidney “Sid” Johnson, longtime director of marketing at Jayco, died Wednesday, July 2. He was 82.
The following is an obituary from Dignity Memorial.
Sidney Keith Johnson (Sid) of Fishers, Indiana, passed away on Wednesday, July 2, at the age of 82. Sid was born in Borden, Indiana, on Dec. 3, 1942. He grew up on the family farm with his parents, older brother, and younger sister. The Johnson farm became a special gathering place for the siblings and their children throughout the many years it remained in the family.
Sid valued education throughout his life. He graduated from Borden High School in 1960 and went on to attend Indiana University (Bloomington). He was a member of the Marching Hundred and earned a political science degree in 1964. Sid remained connected to IU for the rest of his life, sharing and passing on his love for his beloved Hoosiers sports teams, and the university itself, to many family members.
Sid served in the Indiana Army National Guard from 1966 to 1972. In his time as a Guardsman he attended Officer Candidate School and was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the Adjutant General’s Corps. He later served as the Aide-de-Camp for the Adjutant General of the Indiana National Guard and left service as a first lieutenant.
Sid had a wide ranging professional career. He spent time working on political campaigns and helped lead large community fundraising campaigns, but most of his career was spent in marketing leadership roles in the RV industry. Over multiple decades, Sid helped companies grow and connect with RV customers, and was always a highly valued and respected colleague and leader.
Sid dearly loved to travel and was fortunate to visit countless countries, stand on top of mountains, and sail many seas. He loved sharing those experiences with family, friends and business colleagues. In his free time, he could often be found sharing golf rounds, meals and laughs on a regular basis with his tight-knit group of beloved friends. Sid’s loyalty, generosity and quick wit will be remembered fondly.
The family would like to thank Sid’s hospice care team — nieces Stacy (Gray) Colson and Lory (Johnson) Adams, and his sister, Lynn (Johnson) Beckett — for their extraordinary love, compassion, and care in his final days.
Sid was preceded in death by his father Zenos Johnson (Papaw), his mother Faith (Gray) Johnson (Mamaw), his brother Larry Johnson, his grandson Zane Johnson, and many other relatives and close friends. He is survived by his sister, Lynn (Johnson) Beckett, partner, Francisco Monte; his sons, Douglas Johnson (Jennifer) of Indianapolis, Indiana; Michael Johnson (Katie Akens) of Elkhart, Indiana; Benjamin Johnson (Morgan) of Middlebury, Indiana; Matthew Johnson (Kelly) of Wanatah, Indiana; and eight grandchildren.
Family and friends are invited to attend a Celebration of Life at Little & Sons Funeral Home (4901 E. Stop 11 Rd, Indianapolis) on Saturday, July 26 at 2 p.m. Visitation will be from 2-5 p.m. At 5 p.m. there will be a review and remembrance of Sid’s life, which will include a time for people to share their memories. Those planning to attend who are comfortable speaking, please come with your favorite “Sid Story.”
There will be a burial service for family and Borden area friends and loved ones on Saturday, August 16, when Sid will join his parents and brother in the family plot at Borden’s Walnut Hill Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in Sid’s honor to your local Boys and Girls Club, the ACLU Indiana or Indiana University’s Marching Hundred by way of the Marching Hundred Fund.
