Dr. Joseph E. Johnson

Johnson, Dr. Joseph E., age 90, of Knoxville, TN passed away peacefully on September 29, 2023. He is the son of Mr. Clarence and Mrs. Anna Banks Johnson (deceased) of Lamar County, AL. From his humble origins in Lamar County, AL, he became a dedicated servant to the University of Tennessee system and the state of Tennessee for over 50 years. Dr. Joe Johnson, 19th president of the University of Tennessee (1991–99) and acting president 2003–4 came to the university in 1958 as instructor and research associate. He then served successively (1960–63) as senior budget analyst, director of the budget division, deputy commissioner of the Tennessee Department of Finance and Administration, and executive assistant to Governor Buford Ellington. He returned to UT as executive assistant to then-President Andrew D. Holt and vice president for institutional research in 1963. From 1970 to 1991, he served as vice president for development, adding duties as chancellor of UT Memphis and then executive vice president. A Phi Beta Kappa graduate of Birmingham Southern College (1955), he earned the MS and the Ed.D. from UT (1955, 1968, respectively). Dr. Joe Johnson also served as a Sergeant in the U.S. Army in Korea from 1956 to 1958. Johnson served on the boards of numerous organizations including UT Medical Center, South College, the Pat Summitt Foundation, Imagination Library, the Museum of Appalachia, Home Federal Bank of East Tennessee, the Helen Ross McNabb Mental Health Center, and Knox Area Rescue Ministries. While he demonstrated great leadership in administration, he always remembered that the mission of his work was to enhance the quality of experience for his students no matter which campus they attended in the University of Tennessee system. His disarming nature of “down home” charm, sense of humor, insight into the importance of cultivating relationships, high intellect, “common sense” wisdom, and generous spirit propelled him in his work for the University of Tennessee and many non-profit organizations that benefited the greater Knoxville community and state of Tennessee. Dr. Joseph Johnson is preceded in death by his son Kent Johnson. He is survived by his loving wife Patricia P. Johnson; by his daughter, Kelly Johnson Harlin; son-in-law, Bill Harlin: grandsons, Tucker Harlin and Luke Harlin; and sister, Diane Champion. Special thanks to all the employees of the Nursing Center at Little Creek for their care, dear friend, and colleague Jack Williams, and to the many friends who have visited Dr. Johnson from Laurel Church of Christ, University of Tennessee, and a host of other non- profit organizations of which he was a part. The Johnson family will hold visitation at Laurel Church of Christ from 4-7 pm on Tuesday, Oct. 3, 2023. The family will hold a brief visitation prior to the service at 2:00 pm on Wednesday, October 4, 2023, at Laurel Church of Christ, and the Memorial Service will follow at 3:00 pm. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Dr. Joe and Mrs. Pat Johnson Scholarship Fund at the University of Tennessee, Helen Ross McNabb Mental Health Center, Knox Area Rescue Ministries, Museum of Appalachia, Boy Scouts of East Tennessee, Friends of the Smokies, or Laurel Church of Christ.

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Dr. Joseph E. Johnson

July 9, 1933 - September 29, 2023