Mr Johnson died on Wednesday, aged 69.

He became known across the south-west for his 12-year battle with Moyne Shire over access to unused roads on a neighbouring property.

It was a feud that was all-consuming for Mr Johnson, leading to his eventual bankruptcy and eviction from his 300-hectare Threlfalls Road beef farm in 2014. 

But to those that knew him, Mr Johnson was a generous and giving soul, according to fellow Moyne Residents & Ratepayers Action Group member Joan Williams.

“He would do anything for anyone,” Ms Williams said.

“He would do labour to help people get through a busy period and he was always the first to help a person.”

In a statement from his family, Mr Johnson was described as “an honest, hard-working, kind and generous person who was very family-oriented and giving of himself”.

They said his generosity included providing a home and financial assistance for the underprivileged, chopping wood for the elderly, and taking people to Melbourne for appointments.

“On many occasions he advocated on behalf of other people, in spite of his own personal battles,” his family said.

“He was always looking to help anyone in need.”

Mr Johnson lived in the south-west for most of his life and was a passionate Geelong Cats supporter.

His funeral will be held at Eastern Park (Guyetts Funerals) in Warrnambool on October 6 at 10.30am.