Today, I am reposting my friend Deacon Walter Johnson’s eulogy that I had the honor of writing and delivering at his Requiem Mass two years ago. This is in honor of his passing and also of his birthday, which was yesterday. Walter was a good friend of mine through St. Thomas the Apostle, and I miss him dearly. This remembrance is for his son, Steve, and daughter-in-law, Esther, and all the many people who had the privilege of knowing Walter.

Big hugs, Walter. Rest assured, your loving presence lives on at St. Thomas the Apostle, Hollywood.

Deacon Walter Johnson’s Eulogy

My name is Len Leatherwood, and I am a parishioner here at St. Thomas the Apostle, Hollywood. It is my honor today to help celebrate the life of our beloved brother in Christ, Deacon Walter Johnson. On behalf of Walter’s son, Steve, and his wife, Esther, in Florida; Walter’s sister, Florence, in Delaware; the rest of Walter’s family; and his church family here at St. Thomas the Apostle, I thank you for coming together with us to express our love, honor, and respect for a man I believe many of us thought would outlive us all. Particularly with a mother who was, as Walter often said, “still dancing across the dining room floor” at over 100 years old.

When Canon Davies contacted my husband Ray and me to let us know of Walter’s death, we looked at each other in disbelief. My first thought was, “But Deacon was still posting his daily Prayers Ascending and commenting on social media just a few days ago.” Of course, that was true, and death still somehow sneaked in and whisked Walter away. It took several days for me to accept that was even possible. Walter took such good care of himself, exercised regularly, and ate such good food. Of course, I knew he was in his mid-80s, but he was Walter. This was the man who had once climbed to the top of Mt. Kilimanjaro in Africa, had taught himself how to swim in his sixties, and lived a life full of his own unique sense of adventure and seeking. In my mind, Walter was going to live forever, or at least as long as his mother had before him.

While preparing for this talk, I looked on Walter’s Facebook Page and found a post that was dated December 5, 2022, which is almost exactly one year from today. It was a quote from Maya Angelou that read:

“What I really want to do is be a representative of my race, of the human race. I have a chance to show how kind we can be, how intelligent and generous we can be. I have a chance to teach and to love and to laugh. I know that when I finish doing what I’m sent here to do, I will be called home. And I will go home without any fear, trepidations, wondering what’s gonna happen.” #MayaAngelou

Our beloved Deacon was, in fact, called home. But not before teaching, loving, and laughing as a friend, father, brother, and son, and also in his official role as an ordained deacon for 17 years within the Episcopal Church.                     

As a deacon, Walter took his role very seriously. From the moment he was ordained, he 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. He also participated in the Breakfast Club, was a leader for the Lay Eucharistic Visitors, the Daily Offices, and the Sunday Rosary. And, of course, he served as Liturgical Deacon on Sundays and holidays. Clearly, we all benefited from his devotion to God and his deep sense of purpose. Here are a few things that parishioners shared recently about him.

From Shirley Taylor, “Deacon Johnson was an extraordinary friend to me. He would send me prayers every day as he did everyone else. He would also call me once a week. I will miss him, his calls, and especially his special hugs.”                   

From Judith Reselle: I remember Walter for what he did more than for what he said. A deacon is exactly who Walter was—committed to service to individuals and the community.

From Thomas Thanangarden, “Deacon was a true People’s Pastor. I went to him when times were tough and he listened and truly helped me. He recently recommended that I go the the same ten-day silent meditation retreat in 29 Palms that he had attended several years before. I just returned a few days ago and can say that it did me a world of good. I have Deacon Johnson to thank for the chance to better learn how to meditate and pray.” 

From Randy Oglesby, “The last act of Walter’s pastoral life was to be climbing the mountain of prayer. I used to tell him he was like a desert father, praying for us from his hermitage, his 6th-floor apartment at La Brea and Santa Monica, his sanctuary that gave him so much pleasure and comfort in the very midst of the city.”          

My own 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.                            

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 believe Walter was called home, as Maya Angelou said, “Without fear, without trepidation.” Deacon Johnson embraced his calling and enriched our lives in the process. He did what he was called by God to do and he is now in the bosom of the Father, encircled in peace and serenity.  

Thank you, Father, in heaven, for sending us our Beloved Deacon Johnson. His unconditional blessings lightened our hearts and provided a beacon in dark times. Help us all to honor Walter by emulating his example of reaching out to the lonely, the sick, the suffering, and those who are heavily laden. May Walter serve as a guide for us all to make this world a little lighter, brighter, and happier by simply being more kind, patient, and compassionate. I am certain that would make our dear Deacon smile as he looks down on us from above.                                

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