Vernon Carl Johnson
Vernon C. Johnson passed into the presence of the Father on December 24, 2009, with his family by his side at his Madison, Alabama, home.
Vernon was born July 14, 1925, in Ludlow, Pennsylvania, to Carl Eskil and Anna Viola Josephine Johnson.
It was his second birth at the age of 15 in Gowanda, New York, however, that would prove the source of the legacy of faith he leaves with those who cherish his memory.
Vernon entered the service of his country as a navigator in the U.S. Army Air Force during World War II, serving as part of Far East peacetime occupation forces under General MacArthur at the end of the war.
On September 8, 1945, Vernon married wartime bride Paula Jean Frazier, and together the two would spend the next 64 years building a life on the twin foundations of faith and love.
The couple settled in Oklahoma, where, as a Tulsa businessman, Vernon also served on the boards of various churches and Christian organizations. He served as music director for Grace Bible Church for many years and was an active member of Memorial Bible Church for the past 16 years.
Vernon spent eleven years on the mission field with CAM International, first in finance at its publishing house and then as administrator of Puebla Bible Seminary, both in Puebla, Mexico.
In Tulsa, Vernon and Paula Jean also raised their family, which came to include five children: Jayme (Larry) Hower; Susie (Ron) Gannett; Cindy (Ken) Spaugh; Kris (Ulrike) and Becky (Bill) Young.
Now, the generations touched by the faithful example of Vernon and Paula also include 18 grandchildren and 23 great grandchildren, a priceless testimony to the faith that the couple lived out in prayer for their family every day.
Vernon Johnson was the first subscriber to the Tulsa Beacon newspaper when it was founded in April, 2001.
A memorial service, attended by hundreds of family members and friends, was held on December 30, 2009, at Memorial Bible Church.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to CAM International, 8625 La Prada Drive, Dallas, TX 75228.