DELAWARE, Ohio – G. Edwin Johnson, 63, of Delaware, Ohio, died suddenly at his home Feb. 12.
Johnson was the founder and president of Agri Communicators Inc., parent company of his TV show Agri Country, Agri Broadcast Network radio program and monthly farm magazine. Ohio Country Journal.
He was raised on 230-acre livestock farm in Fairfield County, Ohio. He graduated from Ohio State University with a bachelor’s degree in agricultural economics and agricultural education.
Before getting into broadcasting, Johnson worked as a teacher and for the Ohio Farm Bureau.
A veteran of the U.S. Navy, he was a member and lay leader at Bellpoint United Methodist Church.
He is survived by his wife, Marilyn, who lived with him on a small cattle and grain farm in southwestern Delaware County; a son, Bart; a daughter, Dr. Julie Johnson; a foster child, Julie Volbert; seven grandchildren; two brothers, J. Lyndon Johnson, and Gary Johnson; a sister, Karen Johnson.
Mr. Johnson received numerous awards recognizing his achievements in ag communications, including the U.S. Soil and Water Conservation Society Merit Award and the National Vocational Agricultural Teachers’ Association Distinguished Service Award.
He was inducted into the Ohio Agricultural Hall of Fame in 1997. That same year, Agricultural Communicators in Education honored him with the national Reuben Brigham Award. Mr. Johnson received the Distinguished Service Award from Ohio State University in 2000. He previously received the OSU Ag Alumni Distinguished Service Award.
Johnson was a member of the National Association of Farm Broadcasters, the Ohio FFA Sponsors Board, the Ohio Agricultural Council, OSU Alumni Board, past president of the Ohio 4-H Foundation Board and past chairman of the Ohio FFA Foundation.
Calling hours are 1-4 p.m. and 6-9 p.m., Feb. 15 and 16 at the Rutherford Funeral Home, 450 W. Olentangy St., Powell, Ohio. The funeral service, conducted by Pastor Tim Reeves, will be at 11:30 a.m. at the Bellpoint United Methodist Church, 4771 St. Rt. 257. Burial will be at the Oller Cemetery.
Memorial contributions can be made to the Ed Johnson Scholarship Fund, College of Food, Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, The Ohio State University; Ohio 4-H Learning Center, Ohio State University; or the Bellpoint United Methodist Church.
