Condolences Pour in After Former Sen Johnny Isakson, Who Stepped Down in 2019, Passes Away at 76

Former U.S. Sen Johnny Isakson (R-GA) passed away today after stepping down from his office in 2019 amid a battle with Parkinson’s disease.

“It is with deep sorrow that The Isakson Initiative shares that former U.S. Senator Johnny Isakson passed away overnight on December 19, 2021, at age 76,” a statement posted to his Twitter account stated.

The statement concluded, “Sen. Isakson’s family is grateful for the prayers and support. Funeral arrangements will be shared when finalized.”

It is with deep sorrow that The Isakson Initiative shares that former U.S. Senator Johnny Isakson passed away overnight on December 19, 2021, at age 76.

Sen. Isakson’s family is grateful for the prayers and support.

Funeral arrangements will be shared when finalized.

— Johnny Isakson (@SenatorIsakson) December 19, 2021

Isakson was replaced in 2019 by Kelly Loeffler who subsequently was defeated by current U.S. Sen Raphael Warnock (D-GA).

According to AJC in 2015, when Isakson announced his battle with the disease, he promised that it would not jeopardize his ability to serve his full term should he be re-elected in 2016.

Ultimately, it was a promise that he was unable to fulfill and it cost Republicans control of the senate.

Condolences have poured in for Isakson, including from his current replacement in the senate, Warnock.

“I’ll always cherish the many times Senator Johnny Isakson joined us at Ebenezer Baptist Church and the advice he gave me when I was elected to the seat he once held. He was an upstanding elected official, and an even better man. One of Georgia’s finest. I will miss him,” Warnock insisted.

I’ll always cherish the many times Senator Johnny Isakson joined us at Ebenezer Baptist Church and the advice he gave me when I was elected to the seat he once held.

He was an upstanding elected official, and an even better man. One of Georgia’s finest. I will miss him. pic.twitter.com/YTztP6Bs1M

— Reverend Raphael Warnock (@ReverendWarnock) December 19, 2021

Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich (R-GA), who Isakson replaced in the U.S. House of Representatives after he stepped down following the 1998 elections.

Gingrich remarked in a tweet, “Senator Johnny Isakson’s passing marks the end of an era. Johnny was a founder of the modern Georgia GOP. His years of patient, steady work with an always positive attitude, a smile for everyone, and a balanced approach to life, politics, and government made Georgia a better place.”

Senator Johnny Isakson’s passing marks the end of an era.Johnny was a founder of the modern Georgia GOP.His years of patient, steady work with an always positive attitude, a smile for everyone, and a balanced approach to life, politics, and government made Georgia a better place.

— Newt Gingrich (@newtgingrich) December 19, 2021

GOP Sens Marsha Blackburn (TN) and Chuck Grassley (IA) also offered their condolances via Twitter.

“Johnny Isakson was a true statesman, great American, and a dear friend. He served Georgia and the entire nation dutifully in the U.S. Senate, with a drive to leave things better than he found them. Chuck and I are keeping the Isakson family in our prayers during this time,” Blackburn stated.

Johnny Isakson was a true statesman, great American, and a dear friend. He served Georgia and the entire nation dutifully in the U.S. Senate, with a drive to leave things better than he found them. Chuck and I are keeping the Isakson family in our prayers during this time.

— Sen. Marsha Blackburn (@MarshaBlackburn) December 19, 2021

Grassley said, “Barbara & I send our condolences to the family of Johnny Isakson. He served Georgia very well in the House & Senate Johnny was kind to everyone he encountered & had a good sense of humor. We will miss our friend.”

Barbara & I send our condolences to the family of Johnny Isakson He served Georgia very well in the House & Senate Johnny was kind to everyone he encountered & had a good sense of humor We will miss our friend

— ChuckGrassley (@ChuckGrassley) December 19, 2021