Waverly Johnson Person

On Thursday, February 10, 2022, Waverly Johnson (Johnny) Person was called to rest following a lifetime of giving to his family, church and community. Born on May 1, 1926, in Brunswick County Virginia, he was the third of eleven children of the late Santee and Bessie (Butts) Person.

Waverly attended Saint Paul Normal and Industrial School, which was the high school associated with Saint Paul’s College. He was drafted into the United States Army in his senior year, and served in World War II and later, the Korean War. While serving in the US Army, he attended university courses at the University of Oxford, University of Bristol, and the University of Edinburgh. At nineteen, Waverly’s military service took him to New Guinea as part of the segregated, all Black 93rd Infantry Division. He achieved the rank of First Sergeant, receiving the Good Conduct Medal, the Asian-Pacific Campaign Medal, Occupational Medal (Japan) and the World War II Victory Medal.

Between his service in World War II and the Korean War, Waverly earned a bachelor’s Degree in Mathematics at St. Paul’s College. There he met the love of his life, Sarah Walker, and they married on November 6, 1954.

While working as a seismic monitoring technician, Waverly became interested in geophysics and began attending American University and George Washington University. He became a qualified geophysicist, achieving professional status in geophysics after the 1964 Alaska earthquake. In the early 1970’s, he helped to establish the United States Geological Survey (USGS) National Earthquake Information Center (NEIC), which relocated earthquake monitoring to Golden, Colorado. He became the first African-American Chief of the NEIC in 1977, where he remained until his retirement in 2006.

“Mr. Earthquake” as he was known, was often sought by national and international media as an earthquake spokesperson. He received an honorary doctorate in science from St. Paul’s College, the Outstanding Government Communicator Award, the Meritorious Service Award from the US Department of the Interior, and the Annual Minority Award from the Community Services Department in Boulder, CO. He was active with the Seismological Society of America, Boulder County Crime Stoppers, and the Flatirons Kiwanis Club. A history maker featured on ‘The Historymakers.org’ site, and Wikipedia, he often spoke at local schools, sharing his experiences marching with Martin Luther King, serving in the segregated military, his career in seismology and the importance of getting a good education. Waverly was inducted into the Saint Paul’s College Museum in Lawrenceville, VA in August 2019.

Waverly and Sarah were active for many years in their church and home communities. They took great pleasure in entertaining family and friends in their home, listening to good music and dancing. After Sarah’s passing, Waverly often sat on the front porch where neighbors would visit to hear a story or two.

Waverly was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Sarah; eight siblings Corine, Thelma, Floyd, Edith, Louise, Leroy, Santee, and Earl.

Waverly leaves to cherish his memory, one sister, Barbara J. Mayo (Jimmy – deceased), one brother, William M. Person (Elaine); 2 sisters-in-law, Jackie Person, Yvonne Person; a devoted niece, Katrina Pinder; a special and faithful friend, Frank Shafer; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Visitation 1pm Friday, Feb 25, 2022 at Calvary Bible Church 3245 Kalmia Ave, Boulder, CO. Funeral Service 2 PM Friday, Feb 25, 2022 at Calvary Bible Church, 3245 Kalmia Ave, Boulder, CO. Burial at Crestview Memorial Park Cemetery in La Crosse, VA.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to:

James Solomon Russell - St. Paul's College Museum

PO Box 551

Lawrenceville, VA 23868

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.cristmortuary.com for the Person family.