Boag Johnson went through his share of battles during his days as a player for the Fort Wayne Zollner Pistons in the early days of the National Basketball Association, then as a head boys basketball coach and athletic director at Columbia City High School and finally as head boys basketball coach at Warsaw Community High School.

Now, Johnson, a member of the Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame, is in the biggest battle of his life.

The 83-year old underwent his third major heart surgery, a six-hour procedure, Monday to repair his aorta and mitro valve. Johnson underwent a bypass surgery in 1994, then valve replacement surgery several years later.

Problems arose and Johnson's health began to deteriorate at a frighteningly rapid pace.

"Three years ago he was out cutting wood. Recently it got to the point where he couldn't walk more than a few steps without using his oxygen tank," said Jorie Webster, Johnson's daughter.

Johnson's aortic valve pulled away from his heart causing his mitro valve to be damaged and fluid to build up in his lungs.

It got to the point where Johnson and his wife, Mary Ellen, were making frequent trips to Pillbox Pharmacy for oxygen.

Then, recently the old coach made a decision.

He began asking doctors what the risks were of going under for his third major heart surgery in 11 years.

"He told the doctors that if he had a 75% percent chance then he'd get the procedure done," said Webster.

After a referral from a doctor in Fort Wayne, Johnson and his wife went to the Cleveland Clinic Heart Center in Ohio.

"Most centers wouldn't accept someone like him because of his age," said Dr. Michael Banbury, who performed the surgery, in a phone interview Thursday afternoon.

But the Cleveland Clinic is considered one of the premier heart surgery hospitals in the country, and Banbury, along with his team of surgeons, were up to the task.

While still in intensive care for precautionary reasons, Johnson is quickly returning to his old form.

"This morning (Thursday) I walked past him and he was sitting up telling nurses about his old playing days," said Banbury. "There were three of them just sitting there while he talked about when he played."

Johnson has never had a problem getting attention.

Warsaw school board president Ron Yeiter, who played for Johnson at WCHS, recalled that his former mentor parsed his words carefully and they always carried weight.

"Sometimes Boag wasn't all that talkative," said Yeiter. "But he always got his point across."

Johnson was at the helm of WCHS when schools like Leesburg, Claypool and Silver Lake were consolidated into the school corporation.

In 1967, the first year of consolidation at WCHS, Johnson's team was expected to contend for the state title, but instead lost to Michigan City in the regional.

It was heartbreaking for Johnson and his team, which was filled with such stars as Indiana All-Star Charlie McKenzie.

Weary from the intense scrutiny that comes as head coach at Warsaw, Johnson left the bench at the relatively young age of 49.

Now in the twilight of his life, Johnson continues to persevere.

"To tell the truth, I didn't think he could come through it," said Mary Ellen. "But (Boag) was optimistic. He said he'd rather die on the table than keep living the way he had been."

An 83-year old undergoing his third heart surgery, one that has a six percent chance of death, is a risky proposition.

But Johnson, termed a fighter by his family, has pulled through.

There's still a long road to full recovery, but now there's hope.

Banbury expects Johnson to be at full strength in a couple months.

Before the surgery, the Johnsons were told Boag's heart was strong. Having proven that, Johnson hopes to go back to the things he loves to do - playing cards and going out to eat with friends and family.

"He's a great person, (Warsaw) should be grateful to have him," said Banbury.

Cards and well-wishes can reach him at his home. [[In-content Ad]]