Dr. Allen "Monroe" Johnson

Dr. Allen Monroe Johnson, age 90, of Athens OH/ Raleigh NC passed away Sunday April 21, 2019, peacefully after complications of pneumonia.  Born Sept. 25, 1928 in Mebane NC (outside Chapel Hill).  Monroe was the son of the late Harden Terrell Johnson and Lilly Ray Simmons Johnson.

Monroe was a graduate of Hillsborough High School, where he earned a Baseball academic/athletic scholarship to attend The University of North Carolina.  Monroe enjoyed being a baseball pitcher in a semi-professional league in NC. He later finished his Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Physical Education and Social Studies and his Masters of Secondary Education and Social Studies degree from Appalachian State University, and received a Doctorate in Education (EdD) from the University of Tennessee.

He served as a Sergeant in the United States Army between 1953 – 1955, during the Korean War, and was stationed in Ft. Jackson in Columbia SC.  He was selected for the advanced leadership school and graduated as the top man of his class.  He was further selected to form the instructional staff for the advanced leadership school with the major responsibility of teaching, and operational procedures at Fort Jackson.   He was also a member of Fort Jackson’s color guard, honor guard, as well as the Battalion’s performance drill team.  He carried the American flag and performed for celebrities, such as General Eisenhower.

Dr. Johnson dedicated his life to education and was a bench-mark and life-long champion of the Middle School level education movement.  His passion and enthusiasm drove a 45 year life’s work for undergraduate, Master’s and Doctorate level Middle School programs.

He recognized the need for a transformation from K-8 to the Middle school organization, while principal in the Winston Salem City Schools. (NC).  He joined Ohio University in 1963 in Cleveland, OH as the coordinator of student teacher programs.  In 1966 he moved to the OU Athens campus, providing instruction in undergraduate courses in secondary education programs and graduate courses in secondary school curriculum theory and instructional supervision.  Dr. Johnson was director of the nationally funded Upward Bound program, designed to end the “war on poverty” through education, and the urban field experience.  He developed and delivered many workshop curriculums, seminars, professional organization speaker engagements to further professional endeavors for teacher development, with over 50 publications and presentations.

Dr. Johnson invoked approval of the first Middle School teacher certification program in the state of OH in 1979. In 1984 the Middle School validation program was offered in the Ohio University catalog.  The House Bill 439 was passed by legislators establishing the Ohio Middle School Certification Education Program, effective Jan 1990, and accredited by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Educators (NCATE), and the National Middle School Association of the Ohio Department of Education.  The program later grew to include a Masters Degree and Doctorate PhD Educational Programs.  Accreditation was met with elation by Dr. Johnson as a result of his life’s-work.

Dr. Johnson found his interactions with his undergraduate and graduate international students the most challenging and gratifying experience.   His students described him with terms as:  initiator, creative, inspirational, motivating, enthusiastic, and a great story-teller!  One of his favorite quips from a student while handing in a test was “you didn’t ask me what I know”.  He used this in many of his educational offerings over the years.  He always got a kick out of it!

Dr. Johnson retired from full-time teaching in 1995, with full professorship and Emeritus status.    After retirement he enjoyed attending OU sporting events, visiting his ocean front Garden City Beach condo, surf-fishing, landscaping, carpentry, storytelling, traveling with his wife, and especially dancing – when and wherever possible!  He was a member of the First United Methodist Church, Athens Country Club, National Middle School Association, Toastmasters international club, Phi Delta Kappa Association, Winston Salem Methodist Church, Ohio University Alumni Association, OU Green & White Club, 48-year member of the Phi Delta Kappa Education Association, The Kennedy Museum, the Dairy Barn, the Cultural Arts Center, the Emeritus Association OH, ROFA (retired old faculty association), and The Athens foundation

Monroe is survived by his daughter – Marie (Keith) Bosscawen of Raleigh, NC; 3 grandchildren – Reid Bosscawen of Mebane, NC, Morgan Bosscawen of Greenville, NC, Zachary Johnson of Martinsburg, WV, 1 great grandchild Harper Johnson, two brothers Hal Johnson of Broken Arrow, OK, and Clem (Agatha) Johnson of Graham, NC, one sister Virginia Dixon of Titusville, FL, several nieces and nephews, and many foster children with whom he grew up with.   Monroe is preceded in death by his parents, beloved wife of more than 63 years Marcia R. Johnson, and a beloved son, Mark Allen Johnson.  He will be greatly missed by his family and treasured friends.

A life celebration service, and calling hours will be held on Saturday April 27, 2019 from 10 AM to 11 AM at McClure Funeral Home in Mebane, NC with Dave Winstead officiating.  Burial will be next to his wife Marcia R. Johnson, son Mark Johnson, and his parents, in the Oak Grove Baptist Church Cemetery in Mebane, NC.  In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to your local Hospice Chapter. Please share a memory, a note of condolence, or sign the online guest book registry at www.mcclurefuneralservice.net.