Fred was born June 20, 1927, in Brimfield, IL to Dean and Florence (Arber) Johnson. He married Billie Chase on August 31, 1952, in Brimfield, IL. She preceded him in death on November 4, 2021, in Peoria. Also preceding him in death were his parents, and three siblings, Arber, Elizabeth, and Barbara.
Surviving are his three children: Beth (Roger) Fitch of Peoria, Chase (Ailisha O'Sullivan) Johnson of Cluj, Romania, and Clay (Renae) Johnson of Lawrence, KS. He is also survived by nine grandchildren: Tyler (Rachel) Fitch, Trevor (Tera) Fitch, Nelson (Veronica) Fitch, Darby (Andrew) Gerlicher, Madeleine Johnson, Sophie Johnson, Eliot Johnson, Lucy Johnson, and Katherine Johnson and three great-grandchildren: Abigail, Anna, and Betsy Fitch.
In 1945-1946, Fred was stationed in Hawaii with the U.S. Navy, and in the 1950s he served with the U.S. Army. Upon leaving the Navy he attended the University of Colorado for his undergraduate degree, after which he put on Wolverine apparel at the University of Michigan Law School and never took it off. (Go Blue!) FD Johnson, Esq., Great and Fine Lawyer (as his voicemail greeting stated) was a partner of Swain, Johnson & Gard, a member of the Illinois Bar Association, and a member of the Peoria County Bar Association.
In addition to practicing law, he invested in the Peoria area. He was one of the original developers of Pioneer Industrial Park. Fred and his brother purchased controlling interest in the Brimfield Bank in 1962, through which he served the Brimfield community until the sale of the bank 54 years later. He was President and Chairman of the Board.
He was an especially joyful golfer often found playing Mt. Hawley Country Club throughout his 60 years of membership. He was proud of two holes-in-one there—made only two weeks apart… at age 80. An equally enthusiastic golf spectator, he attended his grandchildren's high school and collegiate tournaments near and far, where their teammates and rivals looked forward to his winsome presence.
Having been blessed by his son’s cancer treatment at St. Jude, Fred became a tireless volunteer for the organization. He served on the board for the St. Jude Midwest Affiliate and became known for his deeply personal annual letter encouraging donations to the St. Jude telethon. Together with Billie, he made many appearances on the telethon and was involved in the annual St. Jude Peoria Golf Classic.
Though Fred was unusually generous with his time, money, and affection, he still came to feel acutely his need for the Lord. A deep encounter with God in the late 1970s left him a happy lover and follower of Jesus Christ. He frequently shared his testimony with waiters and waitresses before leaving them a stack of Sacagaweas. Telling his story of coming to faith in Jesus Christ at the Peoria Mayor’s Prayer Breakfast was one of the highlights of Fred’s rich life with God. Through the prayers of his mother, the faith of his children, the suffering of his family, the Bible-based preaching at his local church, and his own reading of Scripture, God showed him the great love of Christ and the freedom found in repentance and forgiveness. Ever grateful for the Savior’s close presence in his life, he frequently quoted and sought to live according to Philippians 4:6: “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.”
Cremation will be accorded and private family service will be held at a later date. Davison-Fulton Woolsey-Wilton is in charge of arrangements.
Memorials may be made to Grace Presbyterian Church or to St. Jude Midwest Affiliate. Words of comfort can be shared with the family at www.woolsey-wilton.com.
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