Julian Samuel Johnson III of Raeford passed away Sunday, March 4, 2018 at his home after courageously fighting cancer for more than seven years. He was the son of the late Julian S. Johnson Jr. and Jean Clark Johnson. He was preceded in death by his son, Charles Christopher Johnson.
He graduated from Wake Forest University and returned to the family farm and The Johnson Company. He was a lifelong member of Raeford Presbyterian Church where he served honorably as a deacon, elder, Sunday school teacher and member of the church choir. He served on many boards including The Lumber River Conservancy, N.C. Pine Needle Producers Association and Cape Fear Farm Credit. The N.C. Nature Conservancy and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Commission held a special place in his heart and he enjoyed working with them to preserve the wildlife and heritage of the long leaf pine forest. In 2011 in recognition of his contribution to the long leaf pine and other natural resources of the Sandhills, in cooperation with The Nature Conservancy, the U.S. Army and the N.C. Sandhills Conservation Partnership, he was awarded The Order of the Long Leaf Pine, NCSCP Champion Award and recognized as a Friend of the Regiment. His passion throughout his life was flying, beginning with soloing at age 14, then obtaining private and commercial pilot licenses, until his last flight in 2017.
He is survived by his wife, Margaret Holland Johnson; his son, Julian S. Johnson IV (Jay) and his wife Jill Hartsock Johnson; grandchildren, Julian S. Johnson V and Amelia Holland Johnson; and sisters, Marianne Johnson Baker and Shirley Johnson Wright and her husband Bobby, all of Raeford.
Visitation will be 10 a.m. until 10:50 a.m. Wednesday March 7 in the John C. Ropp Fellowhip Hall at Raeford Presbyterian Church. The funeral will follow at 11 a.m. in the sanctuary. Burial will follow in the Raeford Cemetery.
Memorials can be made to the Raeford Presbyterian Church Building Fund, P.O. Box 1570, Raeford, N.C.