Terry A. Johnson 's Obituary
Terry Abernethy Johnson was born May 13, 1949, in Hamlet, North Carolina. He passed away on August 4, 2017, in Tallahassee, Florida after an extended illness. He was baptized in Hamlet’s First United Methodist Church. He is survived by his wife, Susan Earle Johnson, his sister, Virginia Johnson Kupritz and brother Michael Johnson. He was also blessed with many nieces and nephews.
A private memorial service with the family will be held at a later date.
He is preceded in death by his mother, Virginia Terry Johnson and father, Williamson Wilson Johnson, Jr.; brother, David Johnson and his nephew, Andru Dell Johnson.
Terry in his earlier life won the prestigious Bill Davis Award as the top scholar athlete during his senior year at Orangeburg High School for his extraordinary performance in academics and basketball and football. He was also selected for All State in basketball for two years. His sister fondly remembers listening to the radio announcer marvel at Terry’s performance in basketball games during high school. Terry later attended the University of Buffalo on a basketball scholarship. He also attended UNC-Greensboro.
In 1998 Terry moved to Tallahassee to work with the Florida State University Alumni Association. He enjoyed working with and supporting the alumni clubs around the world. He was awarded the Alumni Association’s Circle of Gold which recognizes individuals who, through their service and achievements, personify the university’s tradition of excellence.
In Tallahassee he also renewed his involvement with the Theta Chi fraternity.
* (Read below: a post from the Theta Chi Fraternity Facebook page)*
*Theta Chi Fraternity is saddened to report past Grand Chapter member Terry Johnson has entered the Chapter Eternal. Terry was initiated into the Gamma Pi Chapter at the University of Buffalo on February 25, 1970. He served his chapter as Philanthropy, Fundraising, and Intramural Chairman while attending Buffalo on a basketball scholarship. Brother Johnson was heavily involved with the recolonization and reinstallation efforts for the Gamma Rho/Florida State Chapter in the mid-2000s. He served as Chapter Adviser, Chair of the CAB, and President of Gamma Rho’s Alumni Corporation. He also served the Fraternity as a Regional Counselor and Regional Director for the Southeast Region. In 2008, Brother Johnson was elected to the Grand Chapter and served a four term; two years as International Historian and two years as International Treasurer. He is a recipient of the Theta Chi Citation of Honor and George T. Kilavos Alumni Award presented by the Grand Chapter. *
Terry steadfastly took care of his siblings during their younger years while their mother worked to support the family. Terry was his sister’s hero when they were youngsters for all that he did to help his family. He even worked extra hours one summer so that his brother could attend basketball camp with him. Terry also looked after his mother for many years when he lived in Clemmons.
Terry’s grandmother, Minnie B., loved the beauty of her flower garden and passed her knowledge about flowers on to Terry’s mother. In turn, his mother instilled in Terry the wisdom to take time to “smell the roses" and to marvel at the changing seasons. Terry was the first sibling to grow roses, which in turn, his siblings later began to do as well. Connecting with nature in this way was also passed on to Terry’s nieces, Genevieve and Ariel, who also treasure the beauty of nature.
Terry loved animals and over the past 30 years he rescued Salt and Pepper, who were abandoned as puppies in NC, and Smokey, a Siamese cat, who was left behind when her owners moved away in Tallahassee. They all brought much happiness to our family.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Big Bend Hospice or a charity of their choice.
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