Leland Stanford Johnson, 1902-1992

Leland Stanford Johnson, son of the Rev. Thomas Edward and Ida Small Johnson, was born February 2, 1902. He died February 14, 1992. He is survived by a daughter, Nancy J. Kidd, a son, Leland Stanford Johnson, Jr., and six grandchildren.

His father was a Methodist minister for 54 years; therefore Leland, being raised in a parsonage, the call to the ministry was very definite in his life and he finally decided in the 1950s to answer the call.

Leland entered the Methodist ministry as a local pastor in 1959, serving the Callaghan Charge, as his first appointment. He was ordained a deacon in 1962, an elder in 1964, and became an associate member of the conference in 1969.

Leland served 15 years as an active pastor, serving appointments in the Charlottesville, Petersburg, Rappahannock, and Staunton districts. He served eight years after retirement, serving in the Lynchburg and Charlottesville districts. I had the privilege of serving as Leland's district superintendent for six years during his active ministry and four years as a retired supply minister.

Leland was a good pastor and preacher, always serving the people he was assigned to faithfully. He loved the United Methodist Church. He was a "company man" in every way.

Leland's work prior to a decision to enter the ministry was as a feed salesman. To have known Leland while serving as a United Methodist pastor and not having known him when he was in the business world, one can well imagine that in the business world, he was an excellent salesman.

Leland's funeral was conducted in the Oxford Presbyterian Church, Lexington, Virginia, by the pastor, the Rev. Barton Hellmuth and the Rev. Joseph T. Carson, Jr. He was buried in the church cemetery.

 

-Joseph T. Carson, Jr.