Lawrence Folke Johnson

Lawrence (Larry) F. Johnson passed away on July 11, 2024 in Asheville, North Carolina after a long illness.   He was born on September 14, 1940 to Harry Folke and Geraldine Ballard in Savannah, Georgia.  As a teen, Larry was involved in a square dance exhibition group, where he developed his lifelong love of square dance calling.   After graduating from Savannah High School in 1958, he joined the U. S. Coast Guard and honorably served four years.

Upon his return, he worked with the Atlantic Coast Line Railroad before moving to Texas where he graduated from Texas A & M University with a B.S. in Parks and Recreation Administration and served as a recreation director for two counties in Georgia.

He then started his own playground and educational supply company in Clermont, Georgia. During these years, he continued to call square dancing to people in Northeast Georgia as well as serving as the president of the Georgia Square Dance Callers Association and helped to establish a statewide square dance museum.

In his later years after moving to Midway, Ga, Larry drove a school bus for Liberty County Public Schools. He loved this job and spoke about the students he took to and from school each day on the bus.

He is survived by his companion and traveling partner, Kaye Carson as well as his beloved dog, Bocephus, his son Lars Edward Folke Johnson (Eileen) , granddaughters, Elizabeth “Libby” Emma and Rachel Patricia, sisters Freya Zipperer (Pete) and Elsa Wahl (Martin), brothers C. T. Lars Johnson (Bernice) and Ernest Johnson (Shirley). He is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews who loved their Uncle Larry and he will also be remembered by Lars’ mother, Susan Magee Johnson.

He was preceded in death by his parents and his sister, Elin Bartlett.  

The family wishes to thank the medical professionals from the Charles George Veterans Hospital in Asheville NC; staff at the Mars Hill Medical Center, nurses and trauma doctors at Mission Hospital and the extraordinary staff at the Care Partners Solace Center.

Two services will be conducted for the family and friends of Larry Johnson.

A memorial service will be held Wednesday July 24th at 10:00 am in the memorial gardens at The Episcopal Church of the Holy Spirit, 433 Bone Camp Road Mars Hill NC 28754.

A celebration of life will be held at the Isle of Wight Community Club, Midway GA on Saturday July 27th from 12:00-3:00.

If you would like to donate to in honor of Larry, please consider a donation to the Shriner’s Hospital for Children, Charles George Veterans Hospital Asheville NC or Care Partners Solace Center Asheville NC.

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