His Life Story

Herbert was born in Wisconsin in Oct of 1926 and the family moved to Alabama a few months later. His father managed a large farm near Montgomery, AL and Herbert, his mother, and older sister spent their time tending chickens, milking the cows, and generally helping out. His mother taught an adult class in a small Baptist church, was active in the PTA, and a member of the local woman’s demonstration club (not sure what that was all about). He also had 2 older brothers, one married, the other having left home to join the military. His mother said she lived an active life and was happy, or so she thought. In his mother’s words, though, something happened in the summer of 1939 that would change their entire way of life forever.

That summer two of Jehovah’s Witnesses came to the house and said they wanted to talk about how the Bible applied to their daily lives. She was quite busy so Herbert’s father talked to them while she was preparing the noon meal. He enjoyed the conversation and, somewhat to her irritation, invited them to stay and share the meal. While they were eating, the Brother asked Herbert’s mother directly, since she taught Sunday school, did she knew what God’s Kingdom would do for mankind. Between that and talking about God having a personal name she said she was completely confused. She decided to talk to her ‘preacher’ and ask him about God having a government that would one day rule the earth. His answer? “You’ve been talking with Jehovah’s Witnesses. You are in deep water and you better back out right now while you can. That was the wrong answer. She immediately began reading all their literature and checking the cited Scriptures. In a very short time Herbert, his mother, and father began attending meetings and preaching to others. His older sister had married and when she said she would continue studying and attending the meetings her husband left and she moved back in with the family. Several notable events occurred in 1940; Brothers McMillan and Toutjian spent several days with them on the farm, his mother and sister were baptized and moved about 60 miles away to pioneer, and Herbert (at 14) moved into town and started working at a bakery.

In 1941 the family attended the convention in St Louis, MO. Herbert was still too young to get his driver license and his father didn’t drive so his mother and sister alternated driving to be able to get to the convention in a timely fashion. One of the highlights of this convention was on Sunday, ‘Children’s Day.’ There was a section reserved for children aged 5 to 18 and as Brother Rutherford addressed those young ones, all eyes were on them. Brother Rutherford said “All of you children who have agreed to do God’s will stand up.” They all stood up and he said, “Behold, 15,000 new witnesses” and the building seemed to ring with the sound of the applause. Herbert was one of those 15,000 who received a personal copy of the new book, “Children.” After that convention Herbert began pioneering with his family. The decision to serve Jehovah at a young age evidently prepared him for trials that lay ahead.

In a few years, at 18 and at the height of WW2, he was classified 1A, by what his mother called a ‘prejudiced’ draft board, and after a very brief trial sentenced to federal prison in Florida.

After his release from prison, he and 2 other brothers moved to California for work and that’s where he met Judy – they were married in Dec of 1947. They would go on to have an adventurous life together, raising a son, Lester, as they served Jehovah in many different locations including Arkansas, Alabama, Louisiana and New York, among other places. After some years working secularly, and to be able to serve more fully, the family sold a successful business and moved to serve where the need was greater in South America.

Over the course of the next 10+ years Herbert and Judy were able to pioneer and help out in convention work in Colombia and then back in the US. In 1981 the family grew again with the addition of a daughter in law, Tammy, who joined Lester in spending almost 25 years in full time service.

Later, about 1982, Herb and Judy entered the circuit work in the US and were able to enjoy this privilege for almost twenty years. The family lost Judy in death in 2012 and although deeply saddened, Herb continued his full time service until his death in June of 2021.

These are just some of the stories and as you read this you may recall some of your own. If we have left yours out please feel free to send any comments / stories that you wish.

No doubt all who knew Herbert Johnson would agree that he touched so many lives as a husband, father, father-in-law, uncle, pioneer, circuit overseer, and friend. According to one sister, “we all have a favorite Herbert (papa Herb) story.”

There was no age gap with Herb as he befriended everyone.

We long to see him reunited with friends and family; this time enjoying the real life, serving Jehovah forever.