Robert L. Johnson

Robert L. Johnson, 87, of First Ave., died Monday, November 27, at Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center in Winston-Salem. Funeral service is 4:00 PM Wednesday, November 29 at Central United Methodist Church, with Rev. Benny Clodfelter. Interment in Denton Town Cemetery. The family will see friends from 6:00 to 8:30 PM Tuesday at Briggs Funeral Home in Denton and other times at the residence. Mr. Johnson was born in Davidson County on May 7, 1919 to Norman Valentine Johnson and Cora Smith Johnson. He was the valedictorian of the Denton High School Class of 1936 and graduated from High Point College in 1940. He served his country for four years ten months and four days during World War II, finishing his tour of duty as a B-17 pilot. He completed 52 missions in the European Theatre where he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for meritorious service. He was a member of the 99th Bomb Group. Upon returning home from the War in 1945, he joined his father in the ownership and operation of Yadkin Valley Chevrolet which his father founded in 1937. After his father's death in 1972, he continued to own & operate the dealership with his sons until 1990. He also owned and operated Valentine Insurance Agency with a son. He had served on the local board of Central Carolina Bank in Denton. Mr. Johnson served as Mayor of the Town of Denton from 1952 until 1954. He was a member of the Denton Lions Club for over 60 years and was a past president of the club. A mason, he was a member of Denton Lodge # 404 AF & AM. He was a lifetime member of Central United Methodist Church and the Methodist Men of the Church. He served his church in numerous capacities over the years including lay leader. He had been named layperson of the year by his church. He had also served the Thomasville District of the Western North Carolina Conference of the United Methodist Church as Lay Leader and had been a delegate to the Annual Conference for many years. Survivors include his wife of 61 years, Edith Glidwell Johnson of the home; sons, Jon Johnson and wife, Ginger, and Richard K. 'Dick' Johnson and wife, Sandi, all of Denton, Robert L. 'Bo' Johnson, Jr. and wife, Debbie, of Cornelius; grandchildren, Kelly Johnson, Terri Johnson, Holly Johnson, Chad Johnson, Stephen Johnson, all of Denton and Allen Johnson of Cornelius; and great grandchild, Caleb Johnson of Erwin, TN. Memorials may be made to Central United Methodist Church, PO Box 126, Denton, NC 27239 or to the Charity of the donor.