Gov. Brian P. Kemp
I had the honor of first meeting Robert Johnson Jr. when I worked in the State Senate and he served as the chairman of the Oglethorpe County Board of Commissioners.
A little gruff at first, I quickly learned he was a man of genuine faith and humbleness, and I will always remember him as a great advocate for his community.
When he told me no politician had ever really cared about his rural community, I told him I would!
I got to know Robert better during my second term in the legislature, when he asked for my help in securing a truck from the Georgia Forestry Commission for the county.
He was running into government bureaucracy, but even in the face of those challenges, he was determined to do right by Oglethorpe County and get its needs met.
He called on me to help, and when we were ultimately successful in acquiring the truck for the county, Robert was thankful, and never forgot this small act of simply helping when asked.
He continued to work hard every day to make sure those under the Gold Dome didn’t forget the people of Oglethorpe.
That level of tireless dedication on behalf of others is something that marked Robert’s entire life and career.
His 26 years in the U.S. Navy and valued time on the County Commission are just two notable components of the life of this patriot and the many contributions he made through his service.
That commitment and work ethic are part of why we will not only remember rural communities throughout my administration, but we will also always remember Robert Johnson Jr. as an example of what a good public servant and a good man looks like.
He also had that rare ability to turn an opponent into a friend, because of how likeable and respected he was.
When his successor Billy Pittard ran against him for the county commission seat in a special election, the two ended up admiring each other so much that after Robert won the seat, he hired Billy to lead the Public Works Department.
Once rivals, the two were now partners in making life better for the people of their community and they became good friends. Robert was a great mentor to Billy, and because he was given that opportunity, Billy was all the more prepared to serve the people of Oglethorpe well and effectively when he became the commission chair.
I was also fortunate enough to meet Billy through Robert, and both became trusted friends and supporters. That was the effect that Robert’s selflessness had on people — it connected them so that they could work together for better outcomes for the people they served.
Robert’s enduring support, guidance and friendship over the years have been valued blessings for Marty and me, and we join Joyce, their daughter Whitney, and the entire Johnson family in mourning the passing of this leader and true Georgian.
As we keep them in our thoughts and prayers, we also ask that the people of Oglethorpe County never forget what he did for them, just as he never forgot them.
Brian Kemp, an Athens native, is in his second term as Georgia’s governor.