Rev. L. Owen Johnson: Loris

1937 – 2016

    Rev. L. Owen Johnson of Loris went home to be with the Lord on Friday, March 4. He was 78.
    Rev. Johnson was born in Greensboro, a son of the late John Stanley Johnson, Sr. and the late Mozelle Weston Johnson.
    He was a professional baseball player for 13 years, playing for the Baltimore Orioles, Philadelphia Phillies, and Boston Red Sox.
    Rev. Johnson was called into the ministry in 1968 and graduated from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary University in Wake Forest. He was founder and Pastor of Grace Tabernacle Church in 1978 and continued as Pastor until his death.
    He started Grace Christian School in 1980 and followed by establishing Grace Theological Seminary in 1982. Numerous satellite churches and schools have started from Grace Tabernacle and continue to exist throughout the United States.
    Rev. Johnson loved his family and the family of Grace Tabernacle Church. He had a compassion for people but his main love was preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
    While in the hospital Rev. Johnson continued preaching until the day before he died, witnessing to everyone who visited and cared for him.
    Rev. Johnson was predeceased by one son, Jason Matthew Johnson; two brothers, Dale Johnson and Stan Johnson; and two sisters, Frances Boyles and Jane Hartig.
    Survivors include his wife of 40 years, Judy L. Johnson of Loris; three sons, David Owen Johnson of Virginia, Phillip Mark Johnson of Asheboro, and W. Marcus Clark and his wife Jodi of Loris; two daughters, Westie P. Vaught and her husband Tommy of Longs, and Leasa A. Petrone and her husband Vincent of Fort Mill; and five grandchildren, George Thomas Vaught, II of Longs, Garrett Nathaniel Clark of Loris, Danielle Annette Petrone of Fort Mill, Isabella Rene Petrone of Fort Mill, and Peyton Robert Owen Clark of Loris.
    Family planned to receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, March 8, at Goldfinch Funeral Home, Loris Chapel.
    Funeral services were planned for 2 p.m. Wednesday, March 9, at Grace Tabernacle Church with Rev. Frank Seamster, Rev. Charles Green, Rev. Grover Carpenter, Rev. Tim Winters, and Rev. Dennis DeGrasse officiating, burial following in Twin City Memorial Gardens.
    Memorials may be sent to Grace Tabernacle Church or Grace Christian School, P.O. Box 427, Loris, SC 29569.
    A guest register is available here.