Former WTOK News Director and Meridian Legend John Johnson passes away

MERIDIAN, Miss. (WTOK) - Monday Morning John Johnson passed away at the Poplar Springs Nursing Center after a lengthy battle with an extended illness.

Johnson was 77 years old.

John Johnson was a groundbreaker and Meridian legend. He was one of the first African-American news directors in Mississippi and the Southeast. In his 32 years at WTOK, he molded hundreds of reporters.

His last day at WTOK was December 30, 2016.

Johnson’s legacy will be remembered in the broadcasting business for a very long time--but he was better known for his kindness, integrity, ethics, and humanity.

“He had a way to make people feel comfortable and that they mattered,” said Tim Walker, a former WTOK General Manager. “He was just an all-around good person that shaped WTOK’s image in the community and he had an ability to make people feel that they were the most important person in that moment. ”

“I don’t know that there’s anybody who’s had a bigger impact on my adult life than John Johnson,” were the words of former WTOK News Anchor Wade Phillips. “I think back not on stories we did or big events we covered. I think back on the hours and hours that I spent in his office talking about life. He cared about people. He wanted to know about your family and your kids. He cared about that far more than he cared about what the next news story was. I think that’s his legacy. He just cared about people.”

Current WTOK News Director Lauren Carson issued this statement earlier today:

“Our hearts at WTOK are breaking as we received the news of the passing of our beloved John Johnson this morning. He was so much more than the anchor and news director that viewers saw each and every day for so many years. His greatest accomplishments were as husband to Pranati and father to Jennifer and Joya. He also strived to be a sounding board and friend to every person he encountered. John had the ability to make WTOK feel like home away from home for so many young broadcasters as they got their start in this business.

I was fortunate enough to start my broadcasting career with John as one of my mentors. He guided me in professional and personal growth for more than a decade prior to his retirement in 2016. I will forever cherish our many conversations, laughs, and even some tears about life through the years. It is a great honor for me to follow in his footsteps as news director. As I took on this role in 2023 - it was my goal to share with our staff the same experience at WTOK that he had given so many.

Our thoughts and prayers go out to his wonderful family and friends. Pranati, Jennifer and Joya - we love you and thank you for sharing such a kind and gentle man with WTOK and the entire East Mississippi and West Alabama viewing area for so many years."

Visitation is Friday, March 21st 5:30-6:30p at St. Paul United Methodist Church, 2705 13th St, Meridian, MS 39301.

The funeral will be Saturday, March 22nd at 11 am at St. Paul United Methodist Church, 2705 13th St, Meridian, MS 39301.

The Funeral Home is Berry and Gardner Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, the Johnson family has started the John Wesley Johnson Legacy Fund and it can be found here.

If you have any memories or photos with John you can share them by adding them to the album below.

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