November 12, 2020
EDDIE JOHNSON
Eddie Johnson, 65, an outstanding Lake Weir High School basketball star and former Atlanta Hawks standout died, October 26, 2020.
Eddie graduated from Lake Weir High school in 1973 and received a full four year scholarship to play basketball at Auburn University where he was selected as a third-round pick by the Atlanta Hawks in 1977 NBA draft.
Johnson became an immediate contributor and then starter for the Hawks.
Due to his explosive first step, Johnson earned the nickname “Fast Eddie” and averaged 15.1 points in 10 NBA seasons. Setting a career high by averaging 19.1 points for the Hawks in the 1980-91 season.
He was traded to Cleveland for Johnny Davis on Feb. 10, 1986 and signed with Seattle in 1987. He received a lifetime suspension from the NBA in 1987 for his cocaine use.
Johnson grew up in Weirsdale, Florida where he learned to play basketball in pick up games at the local park. Johnson, progressed to Lake Weir’s top basketball scorer of all time.
Johnson, in three years on the Hurricane Varsity, led the Lake Weir Hurricanes in the Mid Florida Conference and District Championships three times and once to second place in the state tournament. He was also the only unanimous choice on the all-state team.
Johnson was serving a life sentence at Santa Rosa Correctional Institution in Milton, Florida for sexual assault on an 8 year old girl when he died of an undisclosed illness.
Johnson was buried in Weirsdale Community Cemetery on Saturday, Nov. 7.
Information for this article was compiled from the Associated Press and the files of the Voice of South Marion.
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Dana Sue Cardali
Dana Sue Cardali, 51, of Ocala, Florida passed away November 5, 2020 at Advent Health of Ocala, Ocala, Florida. She was the wife of Louis Cardali, for 4 years.
Dana was born in Polk County, Florida to Dean and Alice Jane McCroskey. Always rising to the challenge, her careers varied, in the past she worked retail and as a bail bondsman. Most recently, in the medical field in supply chain management.
Dana is survived by husband, Louis Cardali and sons: Colby Williams and Joshua Williams of Sebring, FL and daughters, Brittany (Nick) Russo of CA and Brooke Williams of FL and sister, Lorie (Keith) Brumm and brother, Wesley McCroskey.
A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, November 14, 2020 at 11:00 AM at Hiers-Baxley Funeral Services, 5946 SE Robinson Road, Belleview, FL 34420. Condolences may be left at Hiers-Baxley.com.
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