James Leonard Johnson

J. Leonard Johnson, 88, died peacefully January 24, 2024.  He was born at home in Roseland, VA, on October 7, 1935, to the late Julian Dement and Glenn Anne Tice Johnson.  He was married to the late Bland Massie Johnson for sixty-two years. He is predeceased by his siblings Shirley Johnson Queja, Julian Ernest Johnson, and Barbara Johnson Ponton.

He is survived by his children, Benjamin S. (Lorraine Kolesar) Johnson of Panama City, FL, Lynn Massie Johnson of Greensboro, NC, and Maria Bland (Horace J., Jr.) LaWalt of Herndon, VA; four grandchildren, Ryan Massie (Nicole Calhoun) Johnson, Margaret Anne (Chris) Carr, Horace John (Beau) LaWalt, III., and William Johnson LaWalt; great-grandson, Camden Scott Carr; and twelve nieces and nephews.

He graduated from Fleetwood High School.  He worked at Babock & Wilcox NNFD, Mt. Athos, VA, for his entire career. He received joy in volunteering for the Jaycees, the Vestry at St. Paul's and the Natural Bridge Appalachian Trail Club (NBATC), where he was a Section Maintainer for more than twenty years. 

A service of Christian burial will be held at St. Paul's Episcopal Church, 605 Clay Street, Lynchburg, VA, 24504 at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, January 27, 2024. The family will receive guests at 10:00 a.m. in the Gilchrist Room, prior to the scattering of ashes at 10:30 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to: St. Paul's Episcopal Church, Lynchburg, VA, Grace Episcopal Church, Massies Mill, VA, or Natural Bridge Appalachian Trail Club.

Tharp Funeral Home & Crematory, Lynchburg, is assisting the family.