Roosevelt Johnson, a racing pioneer who initially competed in black-only races, was good at everything. Folks sought his expertise, said Wallace "Georgia Fox" Jones, who broke the drag racing color barrier in a 1960s match against a white driver in Macon.

"We were carbon copies," he said. "He went to Mississippi and places like that and blazed the trail. He was just like me."

All four Johnson brothers raced, even against each other. Fletcher, Buddy, Charlie and Roosevelt were Ford men. Roosevelt "GrannyBoy" Johnson stands next to a 351-powered Pinto in a photo posted online at Dragster Insider. He also drove Mercury Comets and Falcons.

"We grew up in the sport," said a son, Ken Johnson of College Park.

Several years ago, the retired printer was diagnosed with a rare skin cancer. He died Jan. 1 from complications of the disease at VistaCare Hospice. He was 80. A funeral will be held noon Saturday at Mt. Carrie Baptist Church in Franklin, Ga. Willie A. Watkins Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.