Davey Johnson, well known in bluegrass circles in central Illinois and central Florida, died today (Thursday, April 2) in Florida, where he spent the winter months with his wife Dorothy.

Johnson, retired from Caterpillar, Inc., in Peoria, spent a bulk of his retirement years pursuing one of his favorite, lifelong passions: Bluegrass music.

Johnson performed for several years with Bluegrass Purrferred, the Stone County Ramblers and several other Illinois groups. In Florida, he also performed with several “snow bird” bluegrass bands, made up of retirees who flocked to Florida each fall to spend the winter. At one time, he boasted of performing three nights a week in Florida — with three different bands.

Johnson spent many of his days in Florida pursuing another favorite avocation, golf.

He was well known in central Illinois for his tireless efforts in organizing stage shows for the annual Bluegrass and Old Time Music Festival at New Salem State Historic Site near Springfield. Not only did Johnson spend months lining up the festival’s performing schedule, he emceed the stage shows and often performed there with his own bands. His last appearance on the New Salem was in September 2008, when he was invited to perform with Leftover Biscutz, which has became a regular performer at the festival.

According to word received through a family friend in Illinois, Johnson’s remains will be cremated in Florida, and a memorial service will be scheduled at a later date in Illinois.

He grew up in the Lewiston, Ill., area and made his warm-weather home for the past several years in Morton, Ill.