John Tyler football coach Michael Johnson died Tuesday of cancer.

Michael Johnson was what makes Tyler and East Texas so special.

Coach Johnson touched so many lives through his 61 years, from his classmates to his players and students. He was truly one of the good guys.

His passing on Tuesday was sad and shocking. The outpouring of love for Coach Johnson, his wife Cynthia Melontree Johnson and their sons, Justin, Jeremy and Jaron showed how he affected so many.

Funeral services are scheduled for 11 a.m. Saturday at St. Louis Baptist Church in Tyler. Burial will be in Evergreen Memorial Park Cemetery under the direction of Community Funeral Home.

I have known Coach Johnson since I was in the eighth grade and watched him play football for John Tyler High School. He was a member of the 1973 state championship team.

When I first started working at the Tyler Morning Telegraph, Coach Johnson was on the staff at Robert E. Lee. I remember what a friendly guy he was, helping me as I started on my new job. He became a treasured friend.

Earl Campbell, who was a teammate of Johnson’s on the state title team, was sadden by the news of his passing.

“Michael was a great storyteller and a great guy,” Campbell told David Smoak on his Waco ESPN-Central Texas radio show. “We are going to miss Michael. I know Cynthia and the boys are very sad right now, but in the days to come things will get better. I am just happy God let us have Michael as a part of our lives. He did some great things.”

Campbell, the 1977 Heisman Trophy winner, noted, “Michael had a smile like no better else. … He was a great family man.”

He also said Johnson was a great in track, “Michael was just as good in track as football – 440 relay and the 220.”

Smoak, who covered John Tyler and Robert E. Lee when Johnson coached there, added “Michael Johnson always seemed to have a smile on his face, a story to tell and he made me laugh quite a bit. … I’m saddened by the news and praying for the family, JT community and everyone affected by this terrible loss.”

Tyler Junior College basketball coach Mike Marquis coached both Justin and Jaron. He called Coach Johnson a fine man with a fine family.

Joe Buie, current news editor at the Tyler Morning Telegraph who covered both REL and JT when Johnson coached there posted on Facebook, “RIP, Coach Michael Johnson, who died of cancer on Tuesday. I first got to know him when he coached at Lee and then worked around him for years at JT. Always easy going and easy to talk to. So thankful we got to catch up recently with a good talk.”

Campbell concluded by saying, “We will remember the big things Michael did, but also the little things. We will miss Michael.”