In recent years, Johnson overcame prostate cancer but encountered kidney and lung failure which he battled for the last few years of his life.
Johnson met his wife, Shirley Ardoin, while playing for the Saints. Shirley is from Eunice, LA. While living in North Carolina, the couple maintained an apartment in Kenner as well in recent years.
“He was one of the best players and best people I ever played with,” Jackson said. “He was never fighting with anyone, the most generous guy I ever knew. He loved everybody. He was the greatest teammate I ever had. He would hit so hard. He was a great player and a great man. I am truly going to miss him. He was my brother. He was more than a teammate. He was my great friend for life.”
“When I think about Vaughan, the enthusiasm he had for the game is something I will never forget,” Swilling said. “As tough as he was and would knock the stew out of you, he was always upbeat, with a smile and such a nice person. He was always a happy guy. I loved him. I played beside him here and he covered me year in and year out. He always said he had me and he always did.” He is going to be missed.”
Jim Mora brought Johnson to the Saints from the USFL.
“He was special,” Mora said. “He just go to overshadowed by the other three linebackers. He was an excellent player, very team oriented, totally unselfish. What mattered was how the team did, how his teammates did. He was just as good as the other three guys who got a little more publicity than he did. Everybody loved him on this team. He was a terrific person and a terrific player.”