Commemoration
And Blessing
January 26, 2006
C. Walton Johnson
1886 - 1967

Services
FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH
Asheville, North Carolina
January 26, 1967
The Rev. W. Perry Crouch

 
C. Walton Johnson was a great American and a great idealist.  Few men of my experience have achieved his level of Christian devotion; of excellent scholarship and of rugged integrity and moral character.

"Chief" . as so many of us affectionately knew him . not
only, taught a way of life, he lived it. While so many were
confused concerning the direction of their lives, Chief Johnson quietly directed thousands of boys toward a fuller and finer maturity of life.
 

Since his college days, this great leader has been engaged in YMCA work or his Boys' Camp work, with the exception of one  year in the service of his country during World War I. He came to Western North Carolina to begin his Camp
Sequoyah in 1923. Some of us have heard him tell the story of those first years when there was not much money but plenty of work to make his camp succeed.
 

This rugged personality, with his wonderful and loyal
companion, worked day and night in those days and indeed their love for boys and camp work never waned. Our three boys were part of the thousands who heard Chief and Mrs. Johnson talk about truth and honesty and character. From them they learned to love the beauties of nature, the joy of camping, and the ability to take care of themselves.
 

After a summer at Sequoyah, these boys would go home with new knowledge, a new purpose in living, and a new
understanding of moral courage and physical fitness. As the years passed, the boys became college young people and then teachers, ministers, doctors, lawyers and leaders in the business world. Surely men all across our country will pause in sincere gratitude today, that they have couched this big man with a big heart, a love for boys, and faith in the better things of life as God has revealed them to us.
 

In the midst of his busy schedule as a camp director, Chief
Johnson found time to write articles, edit a camp paper, write poetry and many hundreds of personal letters to encourage and help individuals.
 

Among, his writings were a series of messages about
Christmas. One of these messages was entitled "Christmas Is The Time" and then he suggested ten things: In brief they were:

Christmas is the time to remember, to forget, to give, to receive, to resolve, to love, to listen, to see, to forgive, and to worship. One of his best bits of writing was his "Thoughts on Education and College Life" written largely to former campers now in college. Toward the close of this essay were these words:

 

“That part of your education which will have real meaning for you forty, fifty, sixty, years hence, will be the understanding you acquire of the great laws of life, the meaning of history and those eternal values which do not change. Principles are applicable in every situation. Insights into truth are eternally relevant.   "Whenever you face the great issues of life, do not sell yourself short by settling for anything easy. Let the hard right arouse within you an unconquerable spirit. May the impossible have a charm and a challenge for you that brooks no defeat. "If there is no compromise with the eternal verities, there will be no perplexing problems that defy solution. Life lived according to principle is inherently successful. Life at its best is simple and beautiful and glorious! Face life with uncompromising integrity - and enjoy living."

 

Perhaps much of his thoughts to growing boys could be
summed up in a poem he wrote, entitled "IF".

 

If you have an insatiable thirst for knowledge, If each day is a new day, for you,    with an ever receding horizon; If every adventure, even the smallest,    has a thrill for you; If in your imagination you can see yourself    climbing the sunlit peaks; If you have the wonder of a child, and,    like a child can discern the true from the false; If for you honesty is HONESTY and truth is TRUTH; If to you God is the Creator and the Ruler    of the Universe, and there is none other beside Him: Then you will become an educated man. Indeed, you may become a Man of Destiny! Why Not?

 

Chief and Mrs. Johnson loved their family, and their children will carry the ideals of their parents through all of their lives. He was a great Christian and a devoted member of this church. He has been a faithful member of the Rotary Club since 1919. He was active in all camping circles and was recently honored by the Southeastern Camping Association for outstanding achievements in camping.
He was my friend and the friend of my family and like
thousands of others, we honor him today and will long remember the ideals he taught us. The world needs more men like Chief Johnson.

 

___________________________________

 

Telegram, on Chief's passing . . .

 
Mrs. C. Walton Johnson and Family,
Weaverville, N. C.

To try to express the thoughts of our A C A Section members when our loss is beyond expression, leaves us with silent prayers and kind true thoughts for a dedicated giant in our profession who has been an inspiration to campers, staff, and associates for more than 40 years. May his memory ever be blessed and may God grant us strength to carry on in his great tradition.
 

Harry G. Popkin, President
Southeastern Section,
American Camping Association