Dr. Johnson

Dr. Robert Lee Johnson, 86, formerly of Siloam Springs, Arkansas, died January 9, 2006 at the Meadows Living Center, Nashville, Tennessee. Born June 21, 1919 in Detroit, Michigan, he was the son of Delbert M. Johnson of Buckhorn, Kentucky and Loretta Walker Johnson of London, Kentucky. He most recently made his home in Nashville, Tennessee near his daughter. Dr. Johnson and his late wife, Mary Elizabeth Sowell Johnson were long time residents of Siloam Springs, Arkansas. He received his PhD. from New York University in Philosophy of Religion. He chaired the Department of Theology and taught at John Brown University for 9 years until his retirement in 1984. Other Universities he was associated with are Malone College in Ohio, Friends University in Wichita, Kansas, and Abilene Christian University in Abilene, Texas. Some courses he taught were Philosophy of Religion and Living World Religions, as well as Bible Classes. Dr. Johnson served as pulpit minister in Churches of Christ, including Westville Church of Christ in Oklahoma, Northwest Church of Christ in Detroit, Michigan, Malverne Church of Christ on Long Island, New York, Baker Heights Church of Christ in Abilene, Texas, and from time to time locally at the Eastgate congregation. Dr. Johnson also authored two books, Humanism and Beyond and A Commentary on the Book of Galatians first published by the Sweet Publishing Company and reprinted by Leafwood Publishing Company of Siloam Springs. He was a Captain in WWII, stationed at Molesworth Air Force Base, England. Dr. Johnson was an active member of the 303rd Bomb Group Association, having presided at the Protestant Services at their annual reunions for over 8 years. Locally, he was a member of Eastgate Church of Christ, involved in the Rock Club of Benton County, the Farmers Co-op, and the Dogwood Literacy Council. Survivors include one son, Thom Johnson and wife Nancy of Enid Oklahoma; one daughter, Mary Hemminger and husband Bob of Nashville, Tennessee; one sister, Iris Hurst of East Petersburg, Pennsylvania; six grandchildren, and a number of nieces and nephews. Visitation will be Sunday, January 15, 2006 from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. and also on Monday, January 16 from 5:00 to 7:00 pm at Wasson Funeral Home. Funeral services will be 2:00 p.m., Tuesday, January 17 at Eastgate Church of Christ, Siloam Springs with Mr. Charles Cash officiating. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to the Christian Scholars' Conference to fund minority scholarships for individuals seeking to attend the conference. Please mail checks in Robert Johnson's name to David Fleer, Christian Scholars' Conference, 800 W. Avon Rd., Rochester Hills, MI 48307. Arrangements are under the direction of Wasson Funerals Home, Siloam Springs, Arkansas.

Tributes

Dr. Johnson

June 21, 1919 - January 9, 2006