In Memorium: Dr. Timothy F. Johnson
First African American to be elected Chairman of the Buncombe County Republican Party.
by Johnnie Grant
It is with great sadness that the Urban News reflects on the life of Dr. Timothy F. Johnson, who died on Friday, January 31, 2015, at his home in Omaha, NE.
Dr. Johnson made history on June 13, 2009, when he was elected Vice Chairman of the North Carolina Republican Party, becoming the first African American to hold the position since the party’s inception on March 27, 1867. He was then re-elected by a 3-1 vote margin. He was also a delegate to the 2008 Republican National Convention, and was a sought-after speaker at Republican-sponsored events around the country.
In an exclusive interview with the Urban News in 2009, while Chairman of the Buncombe County Republican Party, Dr. Johnson announced that he was seeking the seat as Vice-Chairman of the NC State Republican Party. Stated Dr. Johnson, “It’s time we bring fresh voices with innovative and effective approaches to the table. There are too many groups of people who have not been represented at the state level in recent years. This isn’t just about having people of color in leadership roles. It is also about being open to those with different ideas and backgrounds, and allowing many voices to be heard.”
Dr. Johnson was the President and CEO of Leadership 101, an organizational development consulting company. He served 21 years in the US Army, served on several boards, including the North Carolina Housing Coalition, and Big Brothers Big Sisters of Western North Carolina. He was an Adjunct Professor at Shaw University, CAPE Center, Asheville, and President and CEO of the Frederick Douglass Foundation.
Dr. Johnson was a lifetime member of the National Eagle Scout Association, the Veterans of Foreign Wars, and the Reserve Officers Association. He belonged to the Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, was a Masonic Order Master Mason, Scottish Rite, and Shriner (Prince Hall Affiliated). He held degrees from the University of Arizona, Troy University, and LaSalle University.
Dr. Timothy Johnson was interred in his beloved hometown of Cleveland, Ohio.
I miss you and love you so much dad. You taught me what it is to be a man and how to love unconditionally . You’ve tough and inspired so many lives and I’m honor to be your son and to call you my dad… You will forever be in my heart but never forgotten Major!! Hoorah!!!
Tim is gone but will never be forgotten. Tim’s friends are my friends and his enemies are my enemies. A great man.