Last night, Ray and I received the sad news that our friend, and the retired deacon of St. Thomas the Apostle Episcopal Church, Hollywood, had passed away. This came as a surprise since 86-year-old Deacon Walter Johnson was still posting his daily “Prayers Ascending” on Messenger just last week and was also commenting on social media. However, one of the dedicated recipients of his “Prayers” posts began to worry when she hadn’t heard from Walter in a few days. She called Canon Davies, who rallied immediately and asked a Vestry member to go check on him. When there was no response to repeated knocking on Walter’s door, the LAPD was contacted to do a “wellness check.” That was Sunday, and Walter did finally answer the door and said that he didn’t feel all that well, but was fine. Two more days passed and another Wellness Check was requested. This time the police sadly discovered that Walter had passed away.

Our daughter Sarah described Deacon’s daily “Prayers Ascending” postings as “unconditional blessings,” and that phrase aptly sums up the beauty, glory, and deep faith of our beloved Walter Johnson. Deacon opened his arms to embrace every person he met, old friend or new, and his kindness and presence conveyed his depth of compassion and love.

Walter became a deacon a bit later in life, but as he would say, “In God’s perfect time.” From the moment he was ordained, Walter did everything in his power to provide comfort to St. Thomas’s parishioners as they navigated the inevitable challenges in life. He visited the sick, soothed the suffering, and offered solace to those grieving the loss of loved ones. He spent countless hours at the hospital when members of our congregation found themselves there, and also routinely called up parishioners to see how they were faring whenever he learned that person might need a little extra support. Walter took his role as deacon seriously and we all benefitted from his devotion to God and his deep sense of purpose.

Now it’s our time to use the example he modeled so well and ask God for guidance as we navigate this life without our dear Walter. He would be the first to say, “Open your heart to God and you will receive His blessing and comfort.” I trust that Walter has been encircled in God’s welcoming arms and is now experiencing a new level of serenity. Fly with the angels, my friend. You have definitely earned your wings!

Eternal rest grant to Walter, O Lord, and let light perpetual shine upon him. Amen.

Dr. Charles Elliot, Deacon Johnson, and Stephanie LaPorte working together at St. Thomas’s Breakfast Club for our brothers and sisters in need of a hot meal.

The Incomparable Deacon Walter Johnson