Victor Johnson, Jr., was born on February 28, 1935 in Winston-Salem, North Carolina to the late Victor C. Johnson and Lucille Black Johnson.  He transitioned on January 20, 2021 at Novant Forsyth Medical Center in Winston-Salem, NC.

As a native Winstonian reared in the area known as the "the Pond", his academic preparation included Kimberly Park Elementary School, Atkins High School, Winston-Salem State University, BS degree, and NC AT&T State University, MS degree in education.

Professionally, Johnson was a teacher/coach at Booker T. Washington High School in Reidsville, NC in 1961-62. In the local system, he served as a teacher, coach and assistant principal at Paisley Junior High School as well as assistant principal at North Forsyth and Carver High Schools.

Johnson established himself as a civil rights advocate when he and nine other WSSU students along with ten Wake Forest students and their leader, Carl Wesley Matthews, were arrested and jailed for challenging the Winston-Salem segregated lunch counters on February 23, 1960. This demonstration led to first integration of lunch counters in the South which occurred on May 25, 1960.

Vic continued to serve his community on the Winston-Salem/Forsyth County School Board from 1997 to 2018. During his tenure on the board, he was instrumental in restoring an academic cornerstone in the Winston-Salem community, Simon G. Atkins Academic and Technology High School.

Johnson acquired an interest in golf as a youth caddy. He perceived golf as a sport that many students were not exposed albeit its value in later life. Consequently, he founded and managed the Vic Johnson Junior Golf Clinic for the 23 years. The free, four week clinic exposed approximately 75-90 recreation center campers and participants to the game of golf each summer.

Vic established himself as a community leader early.  Some of his memberships and accolades were:  The Order of the Long Leaf Pine, (the highest award bestowed upon to citizens of the North Carolina); 1987 Man of the Year of the Winston-Salem Chapter of the NAACP; Member and Board Chair of the Winston-Salem Urban League; 1982 Man of the Year of the Psi Phi Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity; 2003 Inductee into the Clarence "Bighouse" Gaines Hall of Fame at WSSU; 2005 Recipient of Winston-Salem State University Unsung Hero Award; and, 2007 Inductee into the Atkins High School Athletic Hall of Fame. In 2020 Johnson was honored in his Bowen Park community as a civil rights icon.

Johnson was reared in a religious home and never strayed from his teachings. He attended United Cornerstone Missionary Baptist Church in Winston-Salem, NC where he served in any capacity requested.

He leaves to mourn his wife of 58 years, to Dr. Constance Howie Johnson; one son, Gerald L. Johnson (Phyllis) of Acworth, GA, one daughter, LaTanja Kim Johnson of the home; two grandchildren, Joi L. Johnson of Atlanta, GA and Shay N. Johnson (Joshua) of Washington, DC; two brothers, David L. Johnson (Barbara) of Randallstown, MD and Raymond E. Johnson of Queens, NY; two sisters-in law, Sandra Johnson of Upper Marlboro, MD and Catherine Johnson of Clarksville, VA; special niece, Sharen Jordan (Godosakahi-Rebop) of Winston-Salem, NC,  and a host of nieces, nephews and friends.

A viewing will be held from 1:00pm until 5:00pm Thursday, January 28, 2021 at Russell Funeral Home. Private services will be held Friday, January 29, 2021.  Interment will follow in Piedmont Memorial Gardens.

Gifts in lieu of flowers can be mailed to:

Gifts by Mail:
The WSSU Foundation, Inc.
304 Blair Hall
601 S. MLK Jr. Drive
Winston-Salem, NC 27110

Please include: Athletics General Fund on the memo line of all checks and money orders and include - in memory of Victor Johnson, Jr., '61

To make an online contribution, please visit:

www.wssu.edu/donate
1.      click "Share Your Strength", Select "Gift Fund #1", Select "Athletics General Fund", Complete Gift Fund Section
2.      Complete Donor Information
3.      Complete Additional Information Section
4.      Complete Tribute Information, select option "In Memory Of", select honoree title "Mr.", complete "Honoree Name" - Victor Johnson, Jr.
5.      Complete payment information section, select "I'm Not a Robot", click "Proceed to Confirmation"

Gifts by phone:

Contact Ms. Sonia Barbre, 336-750-3132