FRED P. JOHNSON


FRED P. JOHNSON

LOUISBURG - Frederick Pierce Johnson, 80, of Louisburg died peacefully Thursday, October 29, 2015 at his home surrounded by family. He was born on January 19, 1935 to the late Asher F. Johnson Sr. and Florence Silver Johnson. After graduating from high school at Crescent Beach, SC, he returned to Louisburg and worked with various positions with The Murphy House restaurant and volunteered with the NC National Guard Armory. He moved to Reidsville, NC in 1969 where he owned and operated a Dairy Queen, laundromat and Pine State Dairy Bar. In 1974 he seized the opportunity to work with The Franklin Times as Managing Editor, coming back to the work he had grown up in as a young child alongside of his father. He eventually purchased The Franklin Times, Inc. and its publication in 1978, working with his brother Asher. After selling the newspaper in 1991, he later opened the Sears store in Louisburg. He was a lifelong member of St. Paul's Episcopal Church where he sang in the choir, served as lay reader/lector, and also served on the vestry, including time as Sr. Warden.

He is survived by his wife, Sue Smith Johnson; his daughters, Patricia J. Person (William), Lori J. Coon; his son, Gregory "Scott" Johnson (Cecelia); his step-children, Michael Smith, Kathy Smith (Chris Lawrence) and Sarah Pickrel (Shane); his grandchildren, Travis, Ashley, Rachel, Cheryl, Katie, Davin, Ravin and Kiera; and seven great-grandchildren; his sister, Margaret Shephard. Fred was preceded in death by his grandson, Ryan Person, and his siblings, Asher Frank Johnson, Jr., James Asher Johnson, Edward Frank Johnson, William Hardy Johnson, Adelaide Johnson, Elizabeth Johnson, Dr. Sadie Johnson, Florence Foster, Myra Green and Jean Edge.

The family received friends Sunday at the Parish House of St. Paul's Episcopal Church. A memorial service followed at St. Paul's Episcopal Church with the Rev. Dr. Lauren Winner officiating.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to St. Paul's Episcopal Church, 301 N. Church Street, Louisburg, NC 27549 or to UNC Children's Hospital, 101 Manning Drive, Chapel Hill, NC 27514. Arrangements were handled by Lancaster Funeral and Cremation Services, 804 N. Bickett Blvd., Louisburg, N. C. 27549. Online condolences may be made to www.lancasterfcs.com.

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