Johnnie Johnson, former steward, dies

Johnnie Johnson, a former steward at both Oaklawn Park and Louisiana Downs, died at his Hot Springs, Ark., home on Thursday after a long battle with cancer. He was 76.

Johnson was a native of Georgetown, Ky. He was the son of a trainer and trained himself before becoming a racing official. Johnson worked his way up to the position of steward, and one of his last assignments was serving as the Arkansas state steward at Oaklawn.

Johnson is survived by his wife of 48 years, Rae Johnson. Funeral services were to be held Saturday at the Oakridge Cemetery in Malvern, Ark.