Retired Covenant pastor and former superintendent Paul Johnson died November 7 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. He was 97.
Paul Arthur (“PJ”) Johnson was born in Watertown, Massachusetts, to parents Carl and Ethel Johnson on April 27, 1926. He spent much of his childhood at his grandfather Emil Fredrickson’s farm in Burlington, Massachusetts, and maintained a love of gardening and farming through his adult life.
After graduating from Watertown High School, Paul enlisted in the Navy in 1944 and served as a Naval Corpsman through the end of World War II, helping to treat injured soldiers upon their return from overseas. He graduated from Augustana College in Rock Island, Illinois, and North Park Theological Seminary in Chicago, Illinois. He was ordained as a minister in the Evangelical Covenant Church in 1952.
Paul and Barbara were married in Chicago in 1953, just prior to Paul returning to service as a US Marine Corps chaplain during the Korean War. Upon returning from Korea, Paul accepted a position as chaplain, Bible teacher, and JV football coach at Minnehaha Academy in Minneapolis, Minnesota. He would return as chaplain and Bible teacher at Minnehaha later in life and remained a fixture at Minnehaha until his death.
In 1958, Paul returned to active duty as a chaplain in the US Navy, eventually rising to the rank of Captain. His assignments sent him around the world and deep under the sea on submarines, aircraft carriers, and other Navy and Marine vessels and aircraft. He also served four years at the Coast Guard Academy in New London, Connecticut.
After retiring from the Navy, Paul served in a number of leadership roles in the Covenant, including superintendent of the East Coast Conference, associate superintendent of the Northwest Conference, vice president, Executive Committee, and the Board of Ordered Ministry.
Over the years, he preached in hundreds of Covenant churches around the country and planted numerous churches in Minnesota and New England. He was a faithful member of Bethlehem Covenant Church in Minneapolis and Naples Community Church in Naples, Florida.
Paul is survived by his wife of 70 years, Barbara (nee Ericson); his sister, Ethel Lindstrom; children Jeff (Barb), Julie (Chris), Joel (Laurie), Lance (Carrie), and Tim; 13 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.
A memorial service and celebration of God’s faithfulness was held on Saturday, November 11, at Bethlehem Covenant Church.
Peace to his memory.
