ORANGE BEACH — In a sudden announcement during an Orange Beach City Council meeting on Tuesday, June 2, Councilman and Mayor Pro Tem Jerry Johnson said he is stepping down.

Johnson, who was first elected to city council in 2012, cited his 14-year-old grandson Jacob as the reason for his resignation. Jacob suffered a heart attack more than two months ago and is currently receiving treatment at Children’s of Alabama in Birmingham.

Johnson told GCM following the meeting he has been thinking about the move for the past two weeks. His grandson’s hospitalization forced him to miss the city’s town hall meeting on May 6.

Amid driving to and from Birmingham to visit him, Johnson said, he and his wife agreed it would be best for their family if they stay with Jacob until he recovers.

“The last time I was up there and then driving all the way back, I said the two cannot coexist,” Johnson said. “I’m not Superman.”

Having exchanged hugs in what will be his last time in the council chambers as a city official, Johnson told GCM that city employees have done a great job, but he particularly commended City Clerk Renee Eberly and City Administrator and Finance Director Ford Handley as two individuals who have “made this city go better than anybody.”

“They have done more to get this city stood up and to be recognized as a great place to live, a great place to play (and to be) safe and clean,” Johnson said. “I’m so proud to be a part of it.”

After announcing his resignation, Johnson told those in attendance that it will take at least another 63 to 90 days for Jacob to be released from the hospital, but he noted he was slowly getting better, saying the goal is to have him on a heart transplant list as soon as possible.

“Everything that’s (been) accomplished in the last 12 years, Jerry has made it happen just as much as everybody else, if not more,” Orange Beach Mayor Tony Kennon said. “He was a steady hand that kept us going and kept us focused and didn’t let us get sidetracked with all the minutiae that didn’t matter and I’m going to miss that.”

With Orange Beach being a Class 8 municipality, according to City Clerk Renee Eberly, the mayor and council have 60 days to appoint someone to fill the vacancy by a majority vote.

Update (06/03/26)

City of Orange Beach released the following statement:

The City of Orange Beach announced yesterday that Councilman Jerry Johnson will resign from the Orange Beach City Council due to family reasons.

Councilman Johnson has served the citizens of Orange Beach with dedication and integrity since being elected to the City Council, first taking office in November 2012. During his time on the council, he has been a steady and thoughtful leader, helping guide the City through continued growth while remaining deeply committed to the people, businesses and community organizations that make Orange Beach special.

“Jerry Johnson has given more than a decade of faithful service to the City of Orange Beach, and we are grateful for his leadership, his wisdom and his love for this community,” said Mayor Tony Kennon. “Jerry has always led with faith, family and service, and we fully support him and Yo as they focus on their family during this difficult time. We ask our community to keep their family in their prayers.”

In addition to his role as Chairman Pro Tem, Johnson chairs the Council’s Telecommunications and Technology Committee and serves on the City’s Government Legislative Committee and the Health Care Authority Board of Directors. He also represents the City on the Gulf Shores International Airport Authority Board of Directors and the Coastal Alabama Business Chamber Board of Directors.

Throughout Councilman Johnson’s 13-plus-year tenure, Orange Beach has achieved significant economic growth and celebrated major milestones including the creation of Orange Beach City Schools serving 1,300+ students grades K4 through 12 and one of the top school districts in the state; the opening of Orange Beach Middle and High School and the Orange Beach Performing Arts Center; the launch of major school athletic facility improvements; continued investment in transportation and infrastructure; expanded public recreation amenities and environmental initiatives. Johnson’s engineering background and steady leadership have been especially valuable as the City has navigated growth, infrastructure planning, technology needs and long-term quality-of-life investments for residents.

A graduate of the University of Alabama with a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering, Johnson retired from Alabama Power Company in 2005. A native of Bessemer, he has been a resident of Orange Beach for more than 20 years. He and his wife, Yolanda, have been active supporters of ministries, charities and community causes throughout Orange Beach and the surrounding area.

The City Council and administration remain focused on continuing the work of the City and serving the residents of Orange Beach without interruption. The City will follow the process outlined by Alabama State Law, Section 11-44G-1, which states, “A vacancy in the office of city council member in any Class 8 municipality shall be filled by the city council at the next regular meeting or any subsequent meeting of the council.” The Mayor and City Council has 60 days from the declaration of vacancy to make the appointment.