Francis Johnson

Francis Patrick Johnson, peacefully entered into eternal rest with loving family by his side on October 6, 2025. He was born on May 22, 1949 in Sierra Leonean to the late Francis and Cecilia (Rogers) Johnson. Francis was an honorable man, loved by all who knew him. He was a loving father, father-in-law, grandfather, brother, uncle, cousin, friend and much more. Francis was a humble man whom accomplished many things in his time here on earth. He was born in Sierra Leone, West Africa. He shared many stories of his childhood in Africa, playing in the sea, bringing mangos to his mother after school, etc. Francis did very well in school as a child and after graduating high school he became a mathematics teacher in 1968. In 1969 Francis traveled to the United States with his dear friends with the peace-corps, to attend college. He attended the University of Hawaii Honolulu, played soccer for the University and later the State of Hawaii. Francis received a bachelor’s degree in biology and public health. He also attended the Hawaii School of Medicine, Department of Tropical Medicine. In 1979 he was elected president of the African Students Association of the University of Hawaii. Francis spent many years volunteering at the Waimani Training School in Hawaii, which was a school for mentally handicapped children. Then, later traveled to study at NYU where he received a master’s degree in public health and administration. He served as chairman for the Foreign Students Committee which had an emphasis on community mental health, health care cost, human rights, world hunger and population dynamics. In an autobiography, which helped gain him entry into the school of Dentistry at the Ohio State University, Francis once wrote, “My goals and objectives in life are, to be able to make a contribution towards a decent promotion of human dignity, and to be directly involved in finding solutions to our health problems. I have always enjoyed working with people. I find it most valuable in life to be able to help others and myself live a healthy and decent life. I believe that good health and good education are two of the chief factors that dictate the medical status of our communities. I therefore find it most important to be a part of a team which is totally dedicated to the protection of the well-being of society.” Of all of his many accomplishments and degrees, the only title Francis would boast was fatherhood and grandfather hood. He was a very proud father and grandfather and always the first to celebrate in their accomplishments. Francis will be dearly missed by all who knew him, especially his family. His loving kind soul will live on through the legacy he has passed down to his loved ones. Funeral services will be held on Monday, October 20, 2025 at 12:00 p.m. at the Wellman Funeral Home with burial to follow in Reber Hill Cemetery. Visitation will be on Monday from 11-12. Online condolences can be made to www.wellmanfuneralhomes.com.