November 12th, 2001 – 8:00 am

Press Release: Longtime Birmingham-Southern College vice president dies

BIRMINGHAM, Ala.—Johnny A. Johnson, Birmingham-Southern College’s vice president for business and finance, died Nov. 11 of an apparent heart attack while vacationing in St. Thomas, Virgin Islands. He was 55.

The Sand Mountain native had served since 1988 as vice president in charge of the college’s financial affairs. He joined Birmingham-Southern in 1980 as controller and became associate vice president/controller in 1982.

“This is a tremendous shock and a great loss for both the college and the local community,” said Birmingham-Southern President Neal R. Berte. “Johnny provided exemplary leadership for the college’s financial efforts for many years and he was a valued and active participant in many professional and civic endeavors across Birmingham, the state, and the nation. He will be greatly missed.”

Before joining Birmingham-Southern, Johnson was comptroller for Livingston University, now known as the University of West Alabama. He also had been a supply specialist in the U.S. Air Force.

In 1992, Johnson co-founded Personal Leadership Association, a Birmingham-based, nonprofit mutual improvement society that assists individuals with life planning and leadership. He was to receive that group’s first-ever Loyalty Award during ceremonies Dec. 4. He also served on the executive committee of the Dyson Leadership Institute.

Johnson received his bachelor’s degree in accounting in 1974 from the University of Alabama, and also studied at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, Northeast Alabama State Junior College, and Sacramento City College in California.

He is survived by his mother, June Gamble of Sand Mountain, as well as brothers and sisters.