George Carl Johnson
George Carl Johnson, 77, of Harrisonburg, Virginia passed away on Friday, January 24, 2025 at his home.
He was born on October 15, 1947 in Jackson, MS and was the son of the late Frank William Johnson, Jr. and Alice Virginia (Mize) Johnson.
George graduated from Provine High School, earned his A.S. degree from Hines Junior College, his B.S. in Geography and M.S. in Communications from the University of Southern Mississippi, and his Ph.D. in Journalism from Southern Illinois University. He served as an instructor of journalism and a staff photographer for the photo service at the University of Southern Mississippi. He was a producer/director and senior cinematographer for Mississippi Authority for Educational Television (1974-80); an instructor of photojournalism at Arkansas State University, where he designed and installed the first color photography lab (1980-84); and an assistant professor of broadcasting at the University of Tennessee – Knoxville, where he was awarded Outstanding Faculty Member in the College of Communications (1985-88).
George retired from James Madison University as a professor of Media Arts & Design in 2019 after 32 years. While at JMU he helped establish the School of Media Arts & Design, designed its first high-definition television studio and served for thirteen years as its first director. He served as a teaching fellow in the Center for Faculty Innovation and received the Provost Award for Advising and the College of Arts and Letters Outstanding Service Award. He won several awards from the Broadcast Education Association for video projects.
George was drawn to photography and videography as mediums for capturing and documenting moments in time. He extended this love and skill throughout his life, including a once-in-a-lifetime documentary film trip to Alaska. He enjoyed capturing every family birthday, vacation, and seemingly-insignificant get together. He was a life-long learner who was always reading or watching a new documentary or TV series. His inclination to teaching came from sharing all of the interesting things he learned and love for history and current affairs. He loved “his girls” and was an exceptional father, loving husband, uncle, and grandfather.
George was united in marriage in 1981 to Marilou (Moore) Johnson who survives.
Surviving, in addition to his wife, are his daughters, Callie Miller (Brian), and Caitlin Hawes (Evan); his grandchildren, Juliana Miller, Henley Miller, Lillian Miller, and Ezra Hawes; nieces, Lisa Chiang (Tony), and Michele Ivy (Mike) along with four great nieces and nephews; as well as six nieces and nephews and eight great nieces and nephews he shares with Marilou.
He was preceded in death by his sister, Sudie Clayton and niece Brandy Sue Clayton.
Marilou and her daughters wish to thank Dr. John Densmore, a hematology oncologist at the University of Virginia, who cared for and encouraged George through 14 years of treatment; Dr. Leonid Volodin, also at UVA, who contributed his expertise in specialized stem-cell treatments; and Dr. John Witman at Augusta Primary Care of Harrisonburg who walked beside us over the past month to guide George through these final days.
A service celebrating George's life will be held in Anthony-Seeger Hall at James Madison University on Saturday, February 8th at 2:00pm.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Dr. George C. Johnson Memorial Fund, c/o the JMU Foundation, MSC 3603, 1031 Harrison Street, Harrisonburg, VA 22807. The proposed use of funds is for a scholarship. Johnson Memorial Fund - JMU
Online condolences may be sent to the family at johnsonfs.com.
Arrangements are entrusted to Johnson Funeral and Cremation Service in Bridgewater, Virginia.
