R. Edward Johnson, a long-time pastor in the Southern (SCC) and Southeastern California Conferences (SECC), who also acquired extensive training in business and finance, succumbed to a rare form of cancer on March 14. He was 62.

After serving as senior pastor of the Redlands church for 10 years, Johnson joined the SECC staff in 1998 as assistant to administration. In 2003, he was named director of investments and operations for the conference. Along with theological education that included a Doctor of Ministry degree, Johnson earned an MBA from California State University, and became a certified financial planner.

“He was an integral part of our administration and will be greatly missed,” said Gerald Penick, SECC president. “He leaves a hole that is hard to fill.”

“Overseeing investments donated to the conference from the Stahlheber Estate and managing those resulting from the sale of San Pasqual Academy is a big responsibility,” Tom Staples, SECC treasurer, pointed out. “Ed Johnson developed just the expertise needed for this important work.”

Since Johnson continued to come to the office until less than a month before his death, most colleagues and friends did not realize how ill he had become. “He had the extra-ordinary courage to keep working until nearly the very end,” remarked Chris Oberg, senior pastor of the Calimesa church.

A former member of the Redlands church, Oberg says Johnson mentored everyone from young associate pastors to an 80-year-old woman he urged to be ordained as a local elder. After one of Johnson’s sermons, Oberg felt convicted to enter a new career by studying theology. “It will be difficult, ” he said candidly, “especially since you have children and a husband. But when you stand up to preach the Word of God, you deserve to have every benefit and every bit of training that your colleagues have.”

During the homily for the memorial service, Oberg said, “From Ed Johnson, we know that God is good, that the local church is very important, and that people matter.” She added, “Ed Johnson’s legacy is people.”

Lynn Mallery, former SECC president, paid tribute to Johnson for his organizational skills, forthright opinions, financial acumen, and for being a caring person.

Rebecca Foo, who met Johnson at the time of a death in her family, explained that she was a “high risk person” involved with gang members. Yet, Johnson became her friend. “He saw potential in me that I could not see,” she said. With his encouragement, Foo made a u-turn in life and eventually earned a doctorate in clinical psychology. She is executive director of the Switzer Learning Center in Torrance, Calif., a school that she founded to assist children with learning and emotional handicaps.

Son Douglas Johnson recalled his father’s habit of thinking ahead. “He was reminding me to prepare for college when I was in grade school,” he said. In tribute he added, “Besides always helping others, Dad was strong, loyal, humorous and hard-working.”

Johnson began his ministry in 1967 as youth pastor of the White Memorial Church and later served at the East Los Angeles and Hawthorne churches in SCC. He moved to SECC in 1986 as administrative pastor for the Loma Linda University church. After a short time as an associate at the Redlands church, he became senior pastor in 1989.

Johnson is survived by Marilyn, his wife of 38 years; daughter Lorraine (Lori) and her husband Lenden Webb; son Douglas and his wife Heidi; sister Marilyn Michalenko and husband Don; brother Lawrence and his wife Carolyn.