Mr. Johnson was committed to making the state of Arkansas a better place to live through his hard work and dedication to his community. He is noted as the founder of the Bradley County Pink Tomato Festival because of its start in 1956 while he was manager of the Warren Chamber of Commerce. He also spent his time promoting Southeast Arkansas with the Southeast Arkansas Economic Development District and the Bradley County Industrial Development Commission.

Mr. Johnson served in the Navy during World War II and received his Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Arkansas at Monticello (UAM) upon returning. He then taught in Swifton and Warren where he also sponsored the Future Farmers of America (FFA). Because of his work with the FFA, there is now a Loran Johnson Endowed Scholarship Fund at UAM for early childhood education majors.

Mr. Johnson was a devoted family man and a model civic leader. He was a member of the Arkansas Cattleman’s Association, the Bradley County Retired Teacher’s Association, the American Legion and he served as a delegate to the Arkansas Silver-Haired Legislature. He was a member of the First Baptist Church of Warren where he served as the program chairman for the Brotherhood Men’s Group.

I send my deepest condolences to his wife, Madge Bryant Johnson; his children Wayne Johnson of Warren, LoraNelle Humphrey of Stuttgart and Camille Johnson Lide of Little Rock; and his grandsons, nieces and nephews. Mr. Johnson will be missed by his family, his church, his community and all those who knew him and called him a friend.  I will continue to keep his family in my thoughts and prayers.