Walter Thaniel Johnson, Jr.

Obituary For Walter Thaniel Johnson, Jr.

Mr. Walter Thaniel Johnson, Jr., 81, of Greensboro, NC passed away peacefully on Saturday, July 24, 2021. He was the second child of Walter T. Johnson, Sr. and Gertrude Alexander Johnson. Walter was born and raised in Greensboro, NC, where he graduated from James B. Dudley High School in 1957. In 1961, he graduated from North Carolina Agricultural & Technical College with a degree in Engineering Physics where he was student body president and member of the ROTC. Walter enlisted in the United States Air Force, but was deferred in order for him to make history by becoming the first African American student to enroll in Duke University through the School of Law in the Fall of 1961. After law school, Walter began his service as a Captain in the USJAG Corp at Stewart Air Force base in Newburgh, NY. On March 20, 1965, Walter married the love of his life, Yvonne Jeffries. This union produced four children. After completion of his military service, Walter moved back to his hometown of Greensboro where he began his law career as a Solicitor (now known as an Assistant District Attorney) for the State of North Carolina. Thereafter, he went into private practice until 1980 when he was called into government service by then Governor Jim Hunt as the first African American to serve as Chairman of the NC Parole Commission. During the course of his legal career, Walter taught at both Duke Law School and NC Central School of Law as an adjunct professor. After Walter’s service with the State, he opened his own law practice where he protected the rights of many until his retirement in 2004.

Walter was a member of several boards and organizations. He was a proud member of Omega Psi Phi for over 60 years. He was a member of the Greensboro Sports Council, Greensboro Men’s Club, Black Lawyers Association, Sigma Pi Phi Fraternity (The Boule), Greensboro Bar Association, UNCG Board of Trustees, Academy of Trial Lawyers, Gold Helmet Club, Dudley Alumni Association, NCA&T Alumni Association, Inmate Grievance Committee, Greensboro Planning Commission, a proud Driftwood, and a plethora of other boards and organizations.

Walter was a pioneer and a trailblazer. He served as the first African American Chairman of the Greensboro Public School’s School Board in the late 1960s. He also developed businesses in chemical production and contracting. He was a founding member of BARJO Chemicals, Inc., and his contracting company was responsible for building affordable housing in Northeast Greensboro.

Walter was a life long member of Providence Baptist Church where he served multiple terms on the Board of Trustees as well as attorney for the church. His love for Providence was expressed by his dedication to bringing his beloved grandchildren to Sunday School almost every Sunday morning.

Walter had a zest for life, and derived great joy from his family, friends and various sporting activities. He particularly enjoyed his workouts at the Hayes Taylor YMCA. Walter had a wide collection of stalwart friends and associates that enriched his life. He was an avid reader and a huge supporter of NCA&T Athletics and all activities his wife, children and grandchildren participated in.

Walter is survived by his loving wife, Yvonne J. Johnson of 56 years whom he loved “more than tongue could tell.” He also took delight and pride in his children Walter Johnson, III (Samara), Vernon Johnson(Tina), Attorney Lisa Johnson-Tonkins (JT), and Shannon Johnson-Lackey (Tarji); his adoration for his children was only matched by that for his eight grandchildren: Vernon “Kenji” Johnson, Jalen Tonkins, Teara Johnson, Devin Tonkins, Lillian Sequoyah Johnson, Sanai Johnson, Maya Grace Johnson and Malik Tonkins; and one great grandchild Kamaari. He is also survived by his sister Patricia Trice; sister-in-law, Jacqueline Kpeglo; brother-in-law, Dr. Maurice Kpeglo; nephews, Rodger Dickerson and Mitchell Trice; nieces, Mary Alice Shaw, Lillian Francis, Enyonam Williams and Senadzi Haley; God-sister, Norma McLaughlin Williams; God-children, James Davis, Jr., Angelo Manwell Grady, Chantelle Grady, Chris Bragg, Willa Carter, and Jonathan Mosley-Perry.

**Service will be live streamed access code is 51840 **

A public viewing will be held on Saturday, July 31, 2021 from 3:00pm - 5:00pm in the Cassie Coote-Brown Memorial Chapel of Perry J. Brown Funeral Home. Omega Service 4:45pm. A service honoring his life will be held on Sunday, August 1, 2021 at Providence Baptist Church, 1106 Tuscaloosa St, Greensboro, NC 27406. The visitation will begin at 2:00pm and the service will follow at 3:00pm. Burial Lakeview Memorial Park.

Services Entrusted to Perry J. Brown Funeral Home (336)-272-6109

Honor the life of Walter Thaniel Johnson, Jr.

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