At 12 noon, Saturday, July 7, 2007, all athletes participating in the Johnson/Riley Invitational Track Meet at Wake Forest University will pause for a moment of silence. As a tribute to Coach Lemuel Johnson, the ceremonial firing of the starting gun will signal the continuation of the annual event. Lemuel "Coach" Johnson, along with Jerry Riley, founded a local area track club in 1981. The also established the aforementioned Invitational Meet which ironically, will be underway as "Coach" Johnson's final rites begin at 12 noon at Mount Zion Baptist Church.

Lemuel Lafayette Johnson, 75, passed away on Saturday, June 30, 2007 at the Springwood Care Center in Winston-Salem after a lengthy illness. He was born in Greenville, SC to Ludie and Lula Christine Bennett Johnson.

He was preceded in death by his parents; one sister, Mable Moore; and one brother, Robert "Bobby" Johnson. Survivors include his wife of 50 years, the former Maurice Pitts; four children, Lemelia Kay (Terry) Bonner of Cary, NC, Elwood Wray (Donna) Johnson of Concord, NC, Bronald Clay (Valerie) Johnson and Charis Fay (Scott) Horwitt both of Charlotte, NC; eight grandchildren, Brian and Taryn Bonner, Kenneth Nelson, Robert, Stephen, Nicole, Daniel and Camryn Johnson; one sister, Melissa Lowery; Ruby Gilliam Pervis of Winston-Salem who is like a second mother and grandmother to the Johnson family; and a host of other dear relatives and friends.

Lemuel Johnson attended the local public schools and graduated from Atkins High School in 1950. He graduated from Winston-Salem State College (now WSSU) in 1954 and went into the US Army later that year where he was attached to Special Services as an MP and Illustrator. He then attended the Art Institute of Pittsburgh and graduated in 1959.

Later, he was employed as a commercial artist at Piedmont Engraving Company, Butler Enterprise, Associated Posters, and as the Art Director/Instructor at Rutledge College. He also opened his own Commercial Art Studio, D-Zine Advertising, in which some of his designs can be seen at the Carver School Athletic Stadium and the Sarah Alston Child Development Center (Old Sky land School).

Most affectionately known as just "Coach", Johnson's passion for teaching and working with young people evolved over the years following his involvement in the track and field interest of his eldest daughter and three of her classmates, who formed an AAU-Jr. Olympics sprint relay team in 1971. Johnson and Jerry Riley (a former student-athlete himself) organized the Chev-Relays Track Club. The name was later changed to Twin-City Relays, and is now Tri-City Relays.

Over 700 children have come through the program, which has always stressed academics as well as athletics. Many of the former members have won college track scholarships, become public school coaches, or started their own track clubs. Thus, the impact of Tri-City Relays and Johnson's legacy goes on. In addition to heading the summer track program, he worked or volunteered as a track coach at many of the local high schools.

Mr. Johnson won a number or awards and citations for his involvement in the sports field on the local and state level. He was so proud of Tri-City Athletes who won AAU awards. In 1995, he was recognized by the Effort Club of New Bethel Baptist Church as a Race Progress Promoter. In 2003 he was inducted into the Winston-Salem/ Forsyth County High School Sports Hall of Fame. For six years, he served as Basileus of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity- Psi Phi Chapter, and for several years acted as editor of the fraternity's national publication. He was a member of Mt. Zion Baptist Church where he was a former Sunday school teacher, an usher, and where he shared his artist talent in various ways.

In view of the Invitational Track Meet all day on Saturday, his family as well as coaches and athletes will meet and greet friends from 6pm until 7:30pm Friday, July 6, 2007 at the Russell Funeral Home Chapel in which coaches and family will have the opportunity to give reflections.

Funeral services will be held at 12 noon Saturday, July 7, 2007 from the Mount Zion Baptist Church with Reverend Dr. Serenus T. Churn, Sr. officiating. Interment will follow in Evergreen Cemetery. The Omega Memorial Service will begin at 11am followed by a brief time to greet the family until the funeral hour.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to: Tri-City Relays, P.O. Box 242 Winston-Salem, NC 27102 in care of Shannon Fuller.