Rev. Rodney Fredric Johnson, 83, of Young Harris, GA went home to be with the Lord on December 1st, 2019.

Rod was born on October 8^th, 1936 in Green Bay, Wisconsin and grew up in Oconto Falls. He was the only child to Sydney Emmett and Geraldine Adeline Johnson. He graduated High School in 1954 from Shawano High (Shawano, WI), attended Wisconsin State College at Stevens Point and Candler School of Theology, Emory University – graduating with his Master of Divinity in 1961. He was ordained into the Methodist Church in 1959.

Rod met the love of his life, Katherine Ann Duncanson, while serving as associate pastor at Beymer United Methodist Church in Winter Haven, FL. Rod and Kathy married on Sept 1^st, 1966 and recently celebrated 53 years of marriage. They retired to Young Harris, GA after 40 years in the ministry serving the Florida Conference of the United Methodist Church.

Rod is survived by his two sons, Kenneth Sydney Johnson (Nashville, TN) and Kevin Rodney Johnson and his wife Shannon (Hoover, AL). He has 5 wonderful grandchildren, Nicholas Paul Johnson and his wife Mandi, Alec Tate Johnson, Scout Michael Johnson, Maxwell Stewart Johnson and Adeline Grace Johnson.

Rod faithfully served as associate pastor at Cross Bayou UMC (Seminole, FL), Beymer UMC, First UMC (Melbourne, FL) and Concord Park UMC (Orlando, FL). He was senior pastor of Concord Park UMC (Orlando, FL), Riverview UMC (Ormond Beach, FL), founding pastor of Faith UMC (Miami, FL), St Luke’s UMC (Lake Worth, FL), Emmanuel UMC (Melbourne, FL) and Asbury UMC (New Port Richey, FL).

Rod loved and faithfully served the Walk to Emmaus community as spiritual director in Florida for many years.

Rod was a diehard Green Bay Packer fan and raised his sons to be faithful cheeseheads during the lean years of the 70s and 80s. He was rewarded with countless games around the TV with his sons and grandchildren and 4 trips to Lambeau field during the past 25 years of much better outings for the green and gold.

Rod loved to fish and was blessed to have many friends and parishioners take him on many deep-sea outings and excursions in Canada and Alaska where he hauled in some beautiful trophies.

Since retirement in 1999, Rod and Kathy have enjoyed spending time with their family and have taken many trips abroad together. Rod and Kathy have been active members of First UMC of Union County.

His life was lived to the fullest and his calling as a pastor was the greatest of all his passions. No matter the assignment or the situation, he was faithful and, above all else, honored God with his talents. Well done…

A memorial service will be held on Saturday December 7, 2019 at 3:00 pm at the First United Methodist Church of Union County with Pastor Don Landen and Pastor Mike Cloyd officiating. Special music will be presented by Ken Johnson and Eric Miller. In lieu of flowers if you wish, the family requests that donations may be made to Pruitt Hospice/Pruitt Cares Foundation for Camp Cocoon Children’s Bereavement Camp in Rod’s memory. The family will meet with friends at the church on Saturday from 2-3:00 pm.

Mountain View Funeral Home of Blairsville is in charge of the arrangements. You may sign the family guest book and send condolences on line at www.mountainviewfuneralhome.com