Ivan Dolsen Johnson

Ivan Dolsen Johnson of Akron, Alabama, passed away peacefully at home on November 10, 2025. He was the son of Barbara Payne Johnson Gilley of Mobile, AL. Married to Vivian Anderson of Akron for 32 years, he enjoyed his retirement and his mini-farm. A service in Ivan's memory will be held on November 17, 2025, at 1:00, at Magnolia Chapel South. Pastor Joshua Johnson will conduct the ceremony. A visitation will be held from 11:30-1:00 in the chapel of the funeral home before the service.

Born in Akron, AL, Ivan grew up in Saraland, AL, and attended Satsuma High School, where he graduated in 1967. After finishing school, Ivan moved to the Atlanta, Georgia area, where he was owner and CEO of Metro Comfort Masters. Later, he moved to Gulf Breeze, Florida, and then eventually returned to Akron. In retirement, he enjoyed gardening, cooking, preserving, and canning. His many family members enjoyed receiving his homemade gifts at Christmas and on other special occasions. Ivan especially loved his Scottish terrier Archie and took him everywhere. A once avid hunter, Ivan made trips every year to the mid and southwestern states of the US to hunt big game. Later, he took three trips to South Africa to hunt and had the adventures of a lifetime. Finally, he was a long-time, loyal University of Alabama Crimson Tide fan and never missed a game. 

Those who preceded Ivan in death are his father, I.L. Johnson; his step-father, Hubert Gilley; his siblings, Carol Sanders, Daniel Johnson, and Allen Johnson; two of Ivan’s children, Carrie Johnson and Marcus Johnson; and his grandson, Searcy Elebash.

Left to remember Ivan are his wife, Vivian; his son, Jerry Johnson and his wife Nikki; his step-daughter, Jennifer Elebash and her husband Searcy Elebash; his daughter-in-law Kristi Johnson; and his grandchildren Drew Wheeler; Alex, Christian, Caleb, Autumn, and Zach Johnson; Amanda Nadel; Ashley Kreger; and Vivian Elebash. In addition are other of his siblings Arleen (Ron) Moore, Sharon (Danne) Adair, Lewis (Brenda) Johnson, and sister-in-law Andal Johnson.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Big Dreams Outdoors, a group that takes special needs people hunting. The address is 4701 SR-69 North; Northport, AL 35473; attn Becci Hauser. 

Funeral arrangements are being made by Magnolia Chapel Funeral Home South, 6100 Old Greensboro Road, Tuscaloosa, Al 35405. Interment will be private.