Donald Wade Johnson, 77, passed away in Vienna, Georgia on December 1st, 2018. Pastor Wade, as he was known, was born in Montgomery, Alabama to Wilfred and Sara Kathaleen Johnson. Wade graduated from Grace Theological Seminary with a Masters of Divinity in 1966. Knowing he was called to the ministry since the age of seven, he willingly spent his life serving as a pastor, missionary, witness, prayer warrior, champion, and provider. Wade and Pat, his wife of 56 years, were called to the mission field in 1974 to the island of St. Maarten; eight years later they would be called to build a church on St. Croix, US Virgin Islands. After 12 years, Wade and Pat moved to Jacksonville where two of their four daughters lived. Pastor Wade has been with Celebration Church for over 18 years, with most of those years ministering to the underserved and underprivileged.
Wade had a passion for collecting and repairing bicycles, then distributing them to people who otherwise wouldn’t have any transportation; mostly to the homeless, or survivors transitioning from rehabilitation to the workforce. When he wasn’t giving of his time and talents, he loved to fish. He was known to pull over just about anywhere he saw water and throw a line in – and he usually didn’t care if he caught anything. He also loved to tell a funny joke, then crack himself up. But above all else, he loved God, his family and his community unconditionally.
In addition to his wife Patricia Johnson, Wade is survived by his three daughters: Dana Kirkbride of Simpsonville, SC; Judi and Jeff Buckley of Taylors, SC and Patti and Craig Rigdon of Ponte Vedra, FL. He was pre-deceased by his daughter, Alicia Johnson. He is grandfather to Tyler Jowaisas (31); Amber Smith (30); Amanda Rigdon (30); Taylor Voke (30); Keeli Fricks (27); Grant Kirkbride (25); Brett Rigdon (24); Hannah Bailey (20); and Gabriel (14), Jake (13), and Josh (10) Rigdon, and 4 great-grandchildren. A funeral service for Pastor Johnson will be held on Saturday December 8th, 2018 at 11 am at Celebration Church, 10302 Deerwood Park Blvd., Jacksonville, FL 32256. His family and friends will reconvene at Greenlawn Cemetery, 4300 Beach Blvd., Jacksonville, FL 32207, at 1 pm for the committal service. The family will be returning to Celebration Church for a reception and opportunity to gather, share stories, and celebrate Pastor Johnson’s life immediately after the committal service at Greenlawn Cemetery. Please Sign the guestbook at www.Hardage-GiddensGreenlawn.com Hardage-Giddens Greenlawn Funeral Home & Cemetery, 4300 Beach Blvd., Jacksonville, FL 32207 is serving the family.
