
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: WEDNESDAY, October 13, 1993                   TAG: 9310130267
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: C-2   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

FORMER CITY TREASURER JOHNNY JOHNSON, 86, DIES

Johnny H. Johnson, 86, Roanoke's city treasurer for 24 years from 1954-1977, died Tuesday at Friendship Manor Nursing Home.

Born in 1907 in Halifax County, Johnson began his career in public service as a tax collector for the city treasurer's office in 1934.

Johnson - a conservative Democrat - fought successfully against a 1976 referendum to consolidate the city's financial offices and gained a 10 percent pay raise for himself and his employees in 1977 after City Council offered a 7.5 percent increase.

In an interview following his retirement, Johnson said, "What I've enjoyed most is serving the public on an equitable basis and particularly people who needed help the most."

Discussing the fact some found him unreceptive to criticism, Johnson said, "The people have given me the responsibility for running this office, and I do it according to the law . . . [any critics] can look at it, but they can't change it. People trust me, even though they may disagree with me."

Johnson remained active after his retirement and considered a run for council in the early '80s.

Johnson, a graduate of Hargrave Military Academy, was honored as Treasurer of the Year by the state Treasurers' Association in 1976. He was president of the association in 1959-60.

by CNB