Harold Theoplis Johnson

His funeral service will be held on Thursday April 14, 2011 at 3 p.m. at the First United Methodist Church of Dothan, where he was a member, preceded by visitation with the family in the church parlor at 1:30 p.m. The ministers and staff of First United Methodist Church have joined many friends to support the Johnson family during his illness, and the Rev. Sterling Boykin, the Rev. Allie Freeman, and the Rev. Dr. Jim Sanders will officiate at the funeral service. Interment will follow at Bluff Springs Baptist Church with Byrd Funeral Home on West Main Street directing. Flowers are being accepted or memorials may be made to Covenant Hospice, 104 Rock Bridge Road, Dothan, AL, 36303 or First United Methodist Church, “In Christ’s Name Fund”, 1380 W. Main Street, Dothan, AL, 36301.

Harold Johnson was 81 years old, and was a native of Houston County. He attended and excelled in Ashford schools, and enjoyed remaining in touch with his classmates. He was married for 60 years to Dorothy Pearce Johnson, of Cottonwood. Their family grew to include three sons, with extended families: Tim and Kathryn of Charlotte, NC, and their daughters Gail and Meredith; Terre of Birmingham, and his children Cameron, Kelly and Christopher of Dothan; and Tony and Susan of Lafayette, LA, and their children Jason, Jeremy and Jennifer.

He served in the U.S. Army in the Korean conflict. In order to pursue his ambition to become an educator, he earned his Bachelor’s Degree from Troy State College (Troy University), his Master’s Degree from Alabama Polytechnic Institute (Auburn University), and his doctorate from Auburn University. He taught in the public schools of Georgetown and Savannah, Georgia, and served as a principal in Savannah. He entered the field of higher education at Georgia Southern College (Georgia Southern University) in Statesboro, Georgia, where he administered the degree program that trained education administrators. After moving to Americus, Georgia, he served Georgia Southwestern College (State University) in several capacities over a tenure that spanned seventeen years: Academic Dean, Academic Vice President and Director of Graduate Studies, and Acting President. In addition, he wrote extensively on the subject of school administration, including the publication of two textbooks.

Harold returned to Houston County in 1985, helping to care for his aging father and mother-in-law. He became a licensed realtor, and pursued a second career as a real estate agent for another 20 years. He served the community through the Kiwanis Club, Goodwill, Boys Club, and by serving in many capacities in the leadership of the churches to which he belonged.

Harold was predeceased by his parents, Roosevelt V. and Lemmie Mae Thompson Johnson. In addition to his beloved wife, Dorothy (Dottie), and their three sons and families, Harold is survived by his brother, Billy Max Johnson and his wife, Irene, of Fort Walton, Florida, and his sister, Bobbie D. Olliff and her husband, Donathan, of High Springs, Florida. He is also survived by a large family that includes nieces, nephews and many cousins.

Serving as active pallbearers will be Clay Burdeshaw, Carlos Lee, Bill Appleby, James Reed, Raymond Lindsey, Louie Grimes and Wyndal Adams. Honorary pallbearers will be members of the Pathfinders Sunday School Class, Dr. Michael Soppet and Dr. Hejal Patel.