Obituary of John Johnson

John Newton Johnson, 91, passed away on Thursday, August 23, 2018. John was a lifelong resident of Orange County, NC. He was a proud veteran of the U.S. Navy and served as Radioman Second Class during World War II and the Korean War. He continued his skills from there and obtained his Extra Class ham radio operator license, call sign W4RFN. He was a member in good standing of the Masons for over 25 years in the Eagle Lodge No. 19 in Hillsborough, NC. John retired from Orange County Emergency Services, where he began as a 911 dispatcher, rose through the ranks, and was a respected pioneer in his field. He loved God, family and country. 

John was predeceased by his wife of 53 years, Anne Graves Johnson, parents Newton and Mabel Johnson, sister Janice Summey, and sister Doris Holden. He is survived by his son Mike Johnson and wife June, daughter Cheryl Johnson Pochinski and husband John, daughter Penny Sappington and husband Robert, brother Odis Johnson, sisters Wynnie Petty, Faye Lewis, and Nancy Love, 6 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren. 

Visitation was Saturday, August 25 from 6:00-8:00pm at Walker’s Funeral Home, Hillsborough, NC, and graveside services with full military honors were held Sunday, August 26 at 2:00pm at New Hope Presbyterian Church, Chapel Hill, NC.  

The family would like to request that donations be made to your favorite charity in lieu of flowers. 

The Johnson family is under the care of Walker's Funeral Home of Hillsborough.