Tributes

Surfside Beach Dick Mallard Johnson, age 75 of N. Cedar Drive died Thursday, September 7, 2006 at Grand Strand Regional Medical Center. Born December 30, 1930 in Socastee, he was the son of the late Ed Johnson and Della Thompson. Mr. Johnson was a US Army veteran stationed in Fort Lewis, Washington. He settled in Washington DC where he met his wife, Anna and worked with Standard Oil Co. and owned other businesses for over the next 20 years. He returned to the Myrtle Beach area in 1969 where he purchased a local motel and other family businesses. He moved to Surfside Beach in 1971 where owned and operated the first Christian bookstore, Faith Bible Mart for the next 27 years. He was elected and served two terms on Surfside Beach Town Council. He was elected Mayor in November 1986 after completing the term left vacant by Mayor Blue Huckabee due to his death. He served on the Board of Directors of the Municipal Assoc of South Carolina where he represented Horry, Georgetown and Williamsburg counties. Mr. Johnson served three 1 year terms as President of Horry County League of Cities, served on Grand Strand Area Transportation Committee and was currently serving on the Southern Evacuation Lifeline Committee. Mr. Johnson was a member of First Baptist Church of Surfside and an active deacon for 22 years. He also helped organize the South Strand Kiawanis Club where he served as the first president, he helped organize the South Strand Helping Hands where he served as the first secretary/treasurer. He and his wife volunteered at Lakewood Elementary School on the tutoring program for the last 22 years. Mr. Johnson was a devoted husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather. His greatest joy was to help his fellow man. Surviving are his wife, Anna Johnson; daughter, Deborah Watson of Myrtle Beach; son, Michael Johnson and wife, Tracie; five grandchildren and three great grandchildren. Services will be 2:00 PM, Sunday at Goldfinch Funeral Home, Beach Chapel with entombment following at Hillcrest Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 6:00-8:00, Saturday at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to American Cancer Society, 950 48th Ave. North, Myrtle Beach, SC 29577 or South Strand Helping Hands, PO Box 15968, Surfside Beach, SC 29587.

Tributes

Dick M. Johnson

September 7, 2006