May 27, 1932 – August 26, 2021
Sawyer Johnson — runner, veteran, U.K. fan, and lover of spice cake and coffee — passed away to his eternal home on Thursday, August 26, after a long battle with cancer. He was 89.
Sawyer, otherwise known locally as “the running man,” was born on May 27, 1932, to Frank Johnson and Alice Lickliter Johnson of Swan Pond, in Knox County, Ky. In 1950, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy and served on three ships — the EPC 18, PCF 1387, and the USS Vulcan, AR 15.
After leaving the service in 1954, he moved to Cincinnati and settled in the Norwood community, where he lived for 38 years where became a loyal fan of the Cincinnati Reds. He worked at General Electric and the Day Mixing Company, where he worked on the world’s largest solid rocket propellent mixer at that time. He returned to Swan Pond in 1992 to be close to family.
He was known as “Papaw” by his grandkids and great-grandkids, the people he loved with his whole heart and whom he gave his most precious resource — his time. He made them his famous spaghetti, emphasized the importance of education, and insisted they be at the table when dinner came off the stove.
At nearly 50 years old, he traded cigarettes for running and never looked back. Most years, he ran 1,200 miles, averaging three-mile runs on weekdays and five-mile runs on the weekends. He started competing in 5ks at 65, logging his first competitive race at the Daniel Boone Festival. He came in first in over 100 races, second in 12 races, and third in four additional races in his impressive competitive career. He proudly showed houseguests his trophy room, where he displayed his winnings. He only failed to place in one race, but he would want you to know it’s only because race organizers put him in the wrong age division.
“I was 74 running against 50 year olds,” he said.
Running kept him young and alive… literally. “When you’re 81 years old and you just sit on the couch, you will die,” he told a newspaper reporter. “I would have been dead and forgot about many years ago.”
He was an accomplished gardener, and there was nothing like a warm yellow tomato straight from his garden or a homegrown lettuce and mustard green salad that he topped with bacon.
He was stubborn, but that’s part of what made him interesting. He enjoyed Louis L’Amour books, always carried a handkerchief in his pocket, and never missed an opportunity to help someone in need.
He loved reading the Bible, often referencing 1 Corinthians 14:9, a verse that taught him that “plain talk is easily understood.” He lived his life by this principle, as a man of his word who others could depend on.
In August of 2020, he gave his life to Jesus Christ. His family takes comfort in knowing that he is now joyfully running on the streets of gold with his Savior.
He was preceded in death by his parents; seven brothers, Andrew, William, James (Chig), Frank Jr., Edward, Lester and Herbert Johnson; and three sisters, Lois Mendoza, Stacy Glover, and Mildred Johnson.
He is survived by his sister, Viola Lundy of Heidrick; two sons, Tim Johnson (Sharon) Lawrenceburg, Ky., Doug Johnson (Donna) of Lakeland, Fla.; and one daughter, Rebekah Franklin (Tim) of Lakeland, Fla.
His seven grandkids, Heather Patterson (Steve) of Jefferson City, Tenn., Tiffany Baker (Tim) of Frankfort, Ky., James Franklin (Kelly) of Lakeland, Fla., Tabitha Franklin of Lakeland, Fla., Tim Johnson of Woodbine, Ky., Darla Johnson of Lakeland, Fla., and John Johnson and fiancée Shelby Baker of Gray, Ky.
His ten great-grandkids, Dillon Grimes, Brent Grimes, Brayden Autry, Elizabeth Autry-Franklin, Owen Sawyer Baker, Jeffrey Johnson, Charlie Johnson, Candace Baker, Zoey Johnson, and Blake Franklin.
He is also survived by his best friend Charles Miles; and nieces, nephews, and many other family members who are mourning his passing. He will be especially missed by the love of his life, Mary Ann Gallagher.
He passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by family. A private service will be held at a later date. The family sends special thanks to Dr. Petersen, great-nephew Curtis Mills, staff of Knox County Pharmacy, and Hospice of the Bluegrass, who cared for him faithfully in his final days. In his memory, the family requests that donations be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital or the Knox Central High School track and cross-country team.
Finally, Sawyer would want you to get off the couch today and go for a run. When you do it, think of him.
The Hopper Family, Victoria Hopper and Sally Hopper, our Directors, Bonita Bingham Creech and Robin Reese, and our staff express sincere condolences to the family and friends of Sawyer Johnson.
Hopper Funeral Home, Inc., established over 100 years ago, is in charge of servicing all arrangements for Sawyer Johnson.
