Hal Dempsey Johnson

Hal Dempsey Johnson, age 92, left his earthly home to be with the Lord on October 3, 2021. Born on March 29, 1929, to Zelma and Leo Johnson, Hal grew up in Burlington, NC. After high school he played football for Elon College, later attended UNC Chapel Hill, and served in the US Air Force stationed in Germany during the Korean War. He met his wife of 57 years, Mary Lou Horner also from Burlington, and they moved to Asheville, NC to raise their family. Hal worked for over 20 years with Northwestern and First Citizens banks before retiring from his career in finance. He was passionate about sports and worked with the Western North Carolina Athletic Official Association for more than two decades. He is survived by his wife, Mary Johnson, daughter Jean Nesbitt (Joe) of Mills River, NC, son Brian Johnson (Lori) of Inman, SC, and sisters, Fay Redding and Eleanor Durham both of Burlington. Of Hal’s many accolades and accomplishments, he was most proud of his family which grew to include five grandchildren and eleven great-grandchildren: Michelle Wilson Ford (Ted) and children Bailey and Chloe, April Wilson and children Anneliese, Sophie and Emma Guth, Taylor Johnson (Erica) and children Cooper and Mac, Katie Johnson Cawthorn (Zack) and children Selah and Bea Hauck, and Rosie and Poppy Cawthorn. Hal was preceded in death by his parents, grandson, Riley Johnson, and brother, Jeff Johnson. A private service will be held at a later time. Should you wish to honor Hal’s memory and a life well lived, you may donate to your favorite charity, cheer for the UNC Tarheels and the Georgia Bulldogs, wave to a stranger when you’re driving down the road, sip a Cheerwine, or surprise someone with an unexpected kindness . . . because that’s what he would have done.

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