Robert W. Johnson Jr., 76, Passes Away

Robert W. Johnson, Jr., 76, transitioned from this life into the loving arms of his Lord and Savior Jesus the Christ on Saturday, June 2, 2012, after a long struggle.

Robert Wilson Johnson, Jr. was born to the late Robert Wilson Johnson and Ethel Ada Belle Johnson on July 9, 1935 in Mt. Kisco, NY. He attended P.S. 68 Elementary School in New York City and First Street Elementary School in Hackensack, NJ. The family later moved to Columbus, Ohio where Bob attended Champion Junior High School and graduated from East High School. The desire to serve his country led him to join the U.S. Marine Corps and serve honorably for three years. Robert did his graduate and post-graduate studies in Columbus, Ohio and Princeton, NJ, respectively.

In 1973, Bob moved to the Washington Metropolitan area to serve on the House Foreign Affairs Committee of the House of Representatives as aide to the late Congressman Wayne Hayes of Ohio. While there his love for the Lord directed him into many church affiliations: several home fellowships, Evangel Church, Cornerstone Church, Rhema Faith Center, Christ Temple of Joy, Christ Fellowship Church and The Church at McNair Farms which he founded and was pastor of for three years until the Lord moved him to join Beacon Hill   Missionary Baptist Church in 2001 where he remained. His focus was Christian Education.

Much like Saul of Tarsus, Minister Robert W. Johnson, founder and director of Transnational Ministries, Inc, was apprehended by God while on his way to someplace else. In this case, it was a promising career in government and international affairs. Bob did his academic work at Ohio State (BA’68) and the Woodrow Wilson School at Princeton University (MPA’73). He left government to teach and held several faculty positions at Universities in the Washington Metropolitan area. Minister Johnson responded to God’s call to service in the 1980’s and did post-graduate study in theology at the Whole Word Theological Seminary, then located in Oakton, VA. He was ordained in 1986 and set in the church to teach. Minister Johnson’s radio broadcast The Girdle of Truth has been carried from Northern Virginia by WFAX (1220 am) and by short wave around the world on WWCR.

Robert’s desire to make a difference in the lives of young men began at an early age when he was mentored by his Uncle Lacy. This lead him to mentor his nephews and also serve as Associate Director of the OSU New Dimensions Program (1969) which was founded to meet one aspect of the crisis in urban education—retaining the low-income youngster by altering his educational experience. After having children of his own, he became well known throughout Fairfax County for his involvement in youth athletics. He paid special attention to the development and mentoring of the young men in the community; instilling the value of hard work, dedication and teamwork. Bob could be found front and center at all of Herndon’s games and will be a Herndon Hornet for life.

He leaves to celebrate his life, his loving wife of 38 years Mrs. Rose Y. Johnson, one son Jeremiah Johnson (Katherine), one daughter Victoria Wallace (Wayne), two sisters Elaine Jonson (Robert) and Audrey Goins (Philip), three grandchildren, Jahvon Lee Thomas, Londyn Rose and Jordyn Angelena Wallace, nieces, nephews, and a host of friends.

Service to be held on Monday, June 11 at 11:00 a.m. at Mount Olive Baptist Church, 6600 Old Centreville Rd., in Centreville, VA. Interment will be at 2 p.m. at Quantico Marine Base in Quantico, VA.