On Saturday, May 2, 2026, Elwood M. Johnson, Sr., 81, passed away at home surrounded by the love of his family. Well known for his generosity of spirit, unwavering integrity, and compassion, Elwood had a gift of making people in his life feel cherished beyond measure just as they were. He was truly a kind and gentle soul. Elwood often went the extra mile to provide care to others whether as a family member, friend, or as a public servant. Elwood, known by his nickname El, was the adoring husband of Cynthia (Gifford) Johnson and the cherished father of son and namesake, Elwood M. Johnson, Jr., daughter, Heather A. Johnson-LaFreniere, and his youngest child, Jennifer G. Johnson, who predeceased him in 1995. He was also the proud and devoted grandfather of seven grandchildren; Cameron, Sophia, and Jasper LaFreniere, Mariah, Macie, Ethan, and Margo Johnson, as well as, a great granddaughter, Aurora Coon-LaFreniere, all of whom brought him happiness and blessings beyond measure. In addition, he was the beloved brother of Nancy Johnson Vaughn. El is survived and will be greatly missed by many members of his extended family, as well, especially his nephews, nieces, and siblings by marriage. His family was the center of his being and his ultimate joy. El was predeceased by his parents, George and Beryl (Huling) Johnson, and his sister Mildred Richardson.

Elwood attended Westerly High School and graduated from the newly built Chariho High School in 1962. While working on submarines at Electric Boat for four years in the 1960's, he earned his apprenticeship as a Master Pipe Fitter. He later earned an Associate's Degree at Roger Williams University in Administration of Justice and attended Rhode Island School of Design for draftsmanship. Fortuitously, at an accident scene one day, a Rhode Island State Trooper impressed with the way Elwood conducted himself at the site, encouraged him to apply to become a RI State Trooper. At that time in 1966, leaving Electric Boat meant a $3000 pay cut but Elwood set his sights on becoming a member of the State Police. He graduated from the RI State Police Academy in 1967 and began a storied career working hundreds of major crimes investigations as a detective including homicides, robberies, and sexual assaults.

In 1990, Colonel Edmund Culhane promoted then Lieutenant Elwood Johnson to the rank of Major, the Executive Officer for the Division, where he helped lead the organization for two years before retiring in 1992. To this day, men and women who worked with Major Johnson, both inside the organization and in the Rhode Island Office of Attorney General and the RI Judiciary, hold him in the highest regard as a true gentleman, a man of integrity, steady quiet strength, and one of the finest criminal investigators to serve in the ranks. After retiring from the RI State Police, El spent a few years working as a consultant and private investigator before fully retiring to dedicate himself to his family and rehabilitating and remodeling properties he owned, as well as those of his adult children.

El was a master of many trades that were the self-taught rewards of persistence and determination. In retirement, he also served for 20 years on the Hope Valley Wyoming Fire department board of directors, following in the footsteps of his dad's service to that community. Elwood's greatest passion and life's ambition was his family. He was happiest with his best friend and love of his life, Cynthia, every day involving time together, starting with ritual morning coffee. Whether working side by side on another outdoor or remodeling project, or traveling with friends to other parts of the country and abroad, Elwood and Cynthia were the perfect team, an inspiring love story that served as a model to many of their friends and younger generations of their family. Papa spent every summer on Locustville Pond towing the kids on water tubes behind his boat, teaching them how to water ski, and cooking on the grill for everyone. He could fix anything, whether plumbing, automotive emergencies, or personal dilemmas, and he recognized the highest priority in an instant. An excellent cook, he loved to entertain his family and close friends, serving them great meals, often without a recipe. His homemade pizza and ribs were a family favorite.

In 1970, Elwood and Cynthia's youngest daughter, Jenny, was born with severe physical and intellectual disabilities. Doctors encouraged them to institutionalize their daughter as they already had two healthy children, a widely accepted practice at that time. Instead, they brought Jenny home to her family, where she out survived all medical predictions as to brevity of life. Despite many health complications, Jenny was an inspiration and the nucleus that brought them together in spirit and purpose. El's retirement in 1992 allowed them to spend three years without distractions in the warmer climate of Florida for Jenny's health, loving and supporting her in the last of her 25 years of life. Elwood was a selfless man who dedicated his life to serving others, helping people navigate in times of crisis, and providing for and protecting his family. His children recall countless evenings over the last 50 plus years when co-workers, local residents, or family members called and stopped by their home in Hope Valley seeking help, guidance, counsel, and/or support from El, who would always drop what he was doing to provide help to the person who needed it. This was long before peer support teams came into existence, and in true fashion, El kept all things in confidence as he was noble and chivalrous by nature. Elwood had big strong hands, and with those hands anything was possible, including building the home his family was raised in, holding the love of his life, and giving the best and most enveloping hugs. When Papa hugged you, you felt safe and loved for who you were at that moment, not for who you might be some day.

Elwood told his family that he did not want a traditional wake and funeral. Instead, he said, "I want you to have a party, remember me when I was alive and happy with my family. I want it to be joyful, not sad." His family is honoring his wishes by holding a Celebration of Life on Sunday, October 4th, 2026, starting at 1:00 PM in the Rembijas Pavilion at Fort Getty, Jamestown, RI. Remembrances will be welcomed beginning at 3:00 PM.