THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, August 16, 1996 TAG: 9608160498
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B7 EDITION: FINAL
DATELINE: ORIENTAL LENGTH: 53 lines
Ernest M. Johnson Jr., 72, of 204 Wall St., died Wednesday, Aug. 14, 1996, at his residence.
He is survived by a brother, Rodney Hope Johnson of Ft. Walton Beach, Fla.; his nephew, Rodney Hope Johnson Jr.; and niece, Trudi Hope Johnson, both of Ft. Walton Beach, Fla.; his sister-in-law, Carleen Johnson and cousin, Dorothy Cannon, both of Hampton. In addition, he is survived by his close companion, Joan Henley, and special friends, Roger Vest, Carol and Walker Nelms of Roanoke, Va., Ed and Helen Hagy and Ashton and Dorothy Whipple of Pamlico Co., N.C. He was preceded in death by his parents, Ernest and Hope Johnson Sr. and his son, Eric Brian Johnson.
He was owner and operator of Ernest Johnson Studios and Gallery in Oriental. He is a well-known national and international artist. He is listed in Who's Who in American Art and was a member of Watercolor USA Honor Society, American Society of Marine Artists, Southern Watercolor Society, and Watercolor Society of North Carolina. He was co-founder of the Virginia Watercolor Society. He served in the U.S. Navy during World War II.
Mr. Johnson has lectured and conducted workshops for the Art Museum of Western Virginia, University of Virginia, Roanoke college, Virginia Western Community College, James Madison University, Virginia Department of Education, West Virginia Department of Education and many groups in Virginia, North Carolina and England. His work is found in the collections of the Chrysler Museum, Art Museum of Western Virginia, many corporations, banks, hotels, colleges, the Virginia State Bar and private collections.
He was involved in the following selected juried shows and won the following awards: Award Watercolor USA, 1971; best watercolor, Roanoke; Sidewalk Art Show 1971; best in show, Herionimus; AAUW Show 1975; best in show, Lynchburg Art Festival 1975; Watercolor USA 1977; best watercolor, Bath Co. Regional Show 1977; first place, Virginia Watercolor Society 1981; two awards, Kentucky Watercolor Society 1982; awards, Virginia Watercolor Society 1983, 1984; 117th American Watercolor Society Annual 1984; National Watercolor Invitational, Rockford College 1984; best in show, Bald Knob Show, Virginia 1986; awards, Virginia Watercolor Society 1986, 1987, 1993; best in show, Fincastle Art Show, Virginia 1990; best in show, Smith Mountain Art Show 1992; third place and two hon. mentions Bath County, Va. 1993; awards, Southern Watercolor Society 1994, 1995; first place, Watercolor Society of North Carolina 1994; High Winds Medal, 129th AWS Annual Exhibition 1996; best in show, Southport Artist Association 1996.
A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 18, at the Lou/Mac Park, South Avenue, Oriental, with the Rev. Michael Weber officiating.
Another memorial service will be held on Saturday, Aug. 24, at 1:30 p.m. at Cave Spring United Methodist Church in Roanoke with Bishop Charley Turner officiating. For directions to the church, call 1-540-989-3673.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Cancer Society, Pamlico County Rescue Squad, local rescue squads or favorite charities. Arrangements by Norris-Bryant Funeral Home, Alliance, N.C.
KEYWORDS: DEATH OBITUARY by CNB