Reverend Michael David Johnson

The Reverend Michael D. Johnson joined the Church Triumphant on Monday, April 25, 2022, at the age of 81. Michael was born in Circleville, Ohio on April 17, 1941 to Mary M. Dalton Johnson and George L. Johnson, Sr. He attended Circleville public schools and joined the United States Air Force where he served for 4 years. After earning his BS from Franklin University Michael answered God’s call on his life and entered the Methodist Theological Seminary in Delaware, Ohio, where he earned his Master of Divinity in 1979. He served as Shepard of UMC in Columbus, Calvary UMC in Cincinnati and Oxford UMC in Oxford, Ohio. Following, he was appointed District Superintendent of the Columbus North District of the West Ohio Conference of the United Methodist Church. Upon retirement he took a position at the United Theological Seminary in Trotwood, Ohio and then served as Pastor of his home church, Hilltop UMC. He is preceded in death by his parents, Mary M. Dalton Johnson, George L. Johnson, his beloved grandfather, Edward L. Dalton and special aunt, Roberta Valentine and Paul Jackson, a beloved cousin, his brothers Charles, George and his sister, Marie Audrey and Roberta Johnson who died in infancy. Michael is survived by his loving wife of 52 years, Carolyn Jones Johnson, sons, Lance Pace, Dale (Sheryl) Johnson, Paul (Kathryn) Johnson and two special “sons”, DeAndre Gaston and Dametrius Brown. Also surviving him are his twin sister, Mary Ann (Marcus, Jr.) Anderson, brother William “Bill” (Sandra) Johnson, and sister, Marguerite “Marty” Conley and sister-in-law, Odessa Johnson. Surviving him is his mother-in-law and “partner in crime” Emma Jones, known as Maw-Maw. He is also survived by his beloved grandchildren, Kiara, Kejuan, Dillon, McKinley, Jonah and Karsyn and two granddogs, Simba and Piper Pooh. Michael is blessed to be survived by many nieces and nephews, his special friends, Rev. Henry C. and Sue Stringer and Rev. John & Sue Edgar, along with a host of other family and friends. As District Superintendent Michael always worked hard to be a friend to his pastors and their families and in life he loved his family, his friends, and his dogs. He will always be remembered as a person who did his best, who loved God, his church, and the Black Methodist for Church Renewal (BMCR) organization. He’s probably soliciting memberships in heaven as we speak. Rest in peace, dear Michael. We will forever love and remember you and say your name. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Michael’s beloved BLACK METHODIST FOR CHURCH RENEWAL, c/o Asbury North UMC, 1586 Clifton Avenue, Columbus, OH 43203