Rev. Tyler Lippincott Johnson, Jr

The Dr. Rev. Tyler Lippincott Johnson Jr., of Middletown, RI and Vero Beach, FL, died after having pancreatic cancer for 21 months on Thursday, April 23, 2009 at 78 years old. Dr. Johnson was born on November 25, 1930, in Philadelphia, PA, son of the late Tyler and Elsie Miskelly Johnson.Tyler grew up in Philadelphia, and knew he wanted to become a Presbyterian minister when he was 11 years old. Of his 14 Sunday School class mates growing up, 11 of them later became ministers. In 1948, he graduated from West Philadelphia High School and earned a BA from Eastern College, St. Davids, PA in 1952. In 1955, he graduated from Pittsburg Xenia Theological Seminary, Pittsburgh, PA with a Masters of Divinity and he earned a Doctorate of Ministry from Andover Newton Theological Seminary, Newton, MA in 1978.He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Janet Florence Baum Johnson. They met on November 25, 1949, on Tylers 19th birthday, had their first date a month later, on Christmas Day, December 25, 1949, and married on July 25, 1953. Dr. Johnson served the Presbyterian Church USA for 54 years. He was pastor of the Enfield Presbyterian Church in Enfield, CT, from 1955-1964. In 1964, he was called to the First Presbyterian Church of Newport in Newport, RI, where he served until retirement in December of 1995. He also served as moderator at the Calvary Presbyterian Church, Fall River, MA for many years. After retirement, he was visiting pastor at Newton Presbyterian Church in Newton, MA; served as interim pastor for two years at Calvin Presbyterian Church in Cumberland, RI, and as interim pastor at Barrington Presbyterian Church in Barrington, RI. Tyler was a supply preacher at Calvary United Methodist Church, Middletown, RI, United Baptist Church, Newport, RI, Faith Presbyterian Church, Cranston, RI, and Westminster Presbyterian Church, Vero Beach, FL. During his 41 years of ministry, he made more than 20, 000 home and hospital visits, officiated more than 500 marriages, and baptized hundreds. He officiated each of his five children weddings and baptized all of his grandchildren.Rev. Johnson enjoyed writing sermons on the Cliff Walk, loved spending time with his family and talking to people, even strangers. He enjoyed swimming at Second and Third Beaches, reading, basketball, baseball, and tennis, which he played until his late sixties.Tyler was a member of the War College Foundation, Evangelical Clergy of Newport County, Redwood Library, Newport Preservation Society, and the Presbytery of Southern New England. While in Florida, he attended the 1st Presbyterian Church and Westminster Presbyterian Church in Vero Beach. While in Rhode Island, he attended the Greenwood Presbyterian Church, Warwick, RI. In addition to his loving wife, Janet, and his five children: Karen and Michael Eriksen, Lodz, Poland; Ellen and Jonathan Will, Middletown, RI; Glenn and Gina Johnson, Glastonbury, CT; Laura and Jeffrey Martin, Camp Hill, PA.; and Caroline and James Caswell, Jamestown, RI; and 13 grandchildren: Tara, Heather, Kristen, and Breanne Eriksen; Cameron, Jonathan, Jr., Graham, and Tyler Will; the late Phillip Thomas, Daniel, and Victoria Johnson; and Brynne and Aubrey Martin. He is also survived by his brother, Robert Clarence Johnson, Denver, PA.Visiting hours will be held at the Hambly Funeral Home, 30 Red Cross Ave, Newport, on Saturday, May 2; from 1:00-5:00 PM. A memorial service in his memory will be held at the First Presbyterian Church, 6 Everett Street, Newport, on Sunday, May 3, at 3:00 PM. Memorial donations may be to Hospice at VNS of Newport and Bristol County.1184 East Main Road, Portsmouth, RI 02871 or to www.gideons.org.