Herbert
He made a good name with God
As others in the past.
When the nations went to war
To his faith he held fast.
He said “God’s Kingdom I advocate”
I have made my dedication,
To serve a God of love not hate,
Who loves men from every nation.
Later blessed with a wife and son,
God still opened doors of activity.
There was so much to be done,
Sharing kingdom truth as a family.
Faithful even after losing his wife,
Shall we bask in the sun then curse the rain?
All the days of man are filled with strife.
Like Job, he blessed God even in pain.
Now his day of death is better than his birth.
God gives us this peace of mind.
Those making a good name with him,
The grave cannot confine.
So now to us, Herbert would remind,
Endure a little while longer friends,
Then you too can leave this world behind
But not in death, in life that never ends!
Our Memories of Herb Johnson
“Brother Johnson was a spiritual father”
Brother Johnson was a spiritual father to many that didn’t have one. He was humble, loving, caring and a good listener. Always at his meetings, commenting, giving parts, field service, family worship and calling the friends to see how they are doing. I will miss him calling me to check in and encourage me. He was consistent in family worship. You can always count on him to be there with a smile, joke, sometimes a song, and an encouraging experience. He joined phone witnessing and admitted this was the first time he had engaged in this type of service. One saying I will cherish is, “when there is life there is hope”. He will be missed dearly.
— Michele
“Herb was one of the humblest Brothers I’ve ever known.”
He rarely talked about his accomplishments. He never tried to elevate himself above his fellow Brothers and Sisters. Where ever you went you would run into people who knew Herb and they had nothing but fond memories of him. Herb always had jokes and a great memory. Herb used to joke about not buying green bananas because he may not be around to see them ripen. He is going to be dearly missed by so many. When we welcome him back in the new system perhaps we can all hand him a green banana. –
— Dave
“Herb was hospitable”
We lived in the apartment next to Herb and Judy in the Pacific Beach California Kingdom Hall from 2004 to 2007 so we got to know them quite well. In 2007 our next circuit was Poway California a half hour north of Herb and Judy. Several months later a wildfire threatened the whole area. So I called Herb and asked if we could come and stay with them. I thought we could sleep on their hide a bed. They wouldn't have it that way. They made us sleep in their bed and they slept on the hide a bed. We enjoyed many happy times together and look forward to seeing them again in paradise.
Another example of hospitality is when Br. Stephen Lett came to San Diego for a weekend to teach the kingdom ministry school. Judy and Herb just made Br. Lett come for a meal, because he was Judy's nephew. We enjoyed the privilege of joining them for dinner.
“Herb was a bouncer”
The kingdom hall in Pacific Beach had quite a problem with homeless people. Every once in a while Herb and I would have to go down and chase them out of someplace they had no business being. I joked with him one time by posing the question, what would we do if they refuse to leave? Herb said that we would simply call the police. But for a man his age he was fearless.
“He helped and encouraged me in more ways than I can recount.”
Herb Johnson taught my first pioneer school in 1993 and it was a memorable experience. I remained close friends with he and his wife until she died in 2012 and regularly check on and communicated with Herb until he died in June. He helped and encouraged me in more ways than I can recount. Even in the months prior to his death he reached out and assisted me in a way that I will remember as his final act of great love and friendship to me. I can’t wait to see him again.
– Ayanna
I have this to say about Herb…
Everyone looked forward to his comments at the meeting because they were not only insightful but many times laced with humor in good taste! Sometimes his whole comment was a one liner joke that was spot on.
A long time ago, I asked him about Circuit Overseers that come in to a circuit with an "agenda." Like one who checked on the duties of different elders and he made it his goal to remove certain privileges if he felt that Brother had too many.
Herb said that he was asked by a CO what his agenda was when coming into a new circuit and he said he did not have one other than "doing whatever he could to help everyone just keep on serving Jehovah with joy."
– Mark
“Herb was faithful ”
Herb was faithful to Jehovah's organization, adhering to the direction it gave. It was such a help to me because I could bounce questions off of him and I knew I would always get a reliable answer In harmony with the organization's direction.
— Steve and Sherry
“His whole life was putting Kingdom interests first.”
Most of all I appreciated the love that Herb had for Jehovah and his brothers. His whole life was putting Kingdom interests first. I enjoyed his wisdom as well as his humor. Herb never thought more of himself than necessary. I consider him a very dear friend and look forward to his continued companionship in the near future.
– Barry
“Bro Johnson - My amazing Spiritual Dad”
His encouraging demeanor was always so approachable, enabling me to draw close to Jehovah! He had such a loving way of reassurance that things will be okay.
He is and will continue to be missed.
As I hold onto fond memories…The first scripture he shared with me Proverbs 27:11. I once asked him how do you always know exactly what to say? He always gave credit to Jehovah and Holy Spirit! I’m so grateful that Jehovah used him!
– Wendy
“When I think of Herb's witty sayings it makes me smile.”
Though I miss him every day, when I think of Herb's witty sayings it makes me smile. "What's new?" I would ask. He'd reply with the initials S-O-T, which stood for Same Old Thing.
Though he wasn't able to realize his desire to enter the new world in the "dining car" as he called it, with the rest of the Armageddon survivors, I'm confident the "sleeper car" will be bringing him right along. When Jehovah presses the refresh button on his memory, he won't need to number his jokes to remember them all. I'm sure he'll find a replacement for S-O-T because then every day will be new. I almost chuckle to myself wondering what new quips my counselor, friend, and confidant will think up then when the world is new.
– Kim