Services for Preston Johnson, age 82, of Dublin, will be held at 11:00 AM Monday, August 28, 2017, at First Baptist Church. Burial will follow at Northview Cemetery. Dr. Cliff Morris will officiate. His grandsons will serve as pallbearers. The family will receive friends from 6:00 PM until 8:00 PM Sunday at Townsend Brothers Funeral Home. Mr. Johnson died Friday, August 25, 2017.

Mr. Johnson was preceded in death by his parents, Lorenzo and Beulah Stringer Johnson; son Mark Johnson; and brother, Jerry Johnson.

Survivors include his wife, Beverly Johnson, of Dublin; daughters, Debbie (Hal) Ward, of Cornelius, NC, Linda (Tim) Hudson, of Dublin, and Cheryl (Mark) Tate, of Birmingham, AL; sister, Carolyn Walling, of Houston, TX; grandchildren, Derrick Ward, Jenna Waters, Tiffany Musto, Arthur Hudson, Kalie Beck, Kevin Tate, and Matthew Tate; eight great grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.

Preston Johnson was born in Wesson, Mississippi and raised in Dallas, Texas. He met and married his high school sweetheart, Beverly, at the First Baptist Church-Dallas, and it was there that he accepted Jesus as his Savior, being baptized by Dr. W. A. Criswell, Pastor.

He began his college career at Baylor University in Waco, Texas, and earned his BBA degree, with a Management major, at Georgia State night school while working full time during the day.

He was employed 10 years by Southern Engineering Company, headquartered in Atlanta, and served as the department head of the Rate Analysis and Financial Forecast department prior to assuming a new position at Walton EMC in the Athens, Georgia area in 1967.

As the new Eastern District Manager of Walton EMC, he established the new district, and built a new office in Oconee County, hiring all employees.

Preston was very active in church, charitable and civic activities in the Athens area. He was ordained a deacon at First Baptist-Athens and served as General Sunday School Superintendent. During his tenure as president of the Athens Toastmasters International Club, the club was recognized as the outstanding club in Georgia. In 1968, he was inducted into the Athens Rotary Club, and elected a director his first year, responsible for Community Service.

In 1969, he was selected as the "Athens, Georgia Man of the Year," as well as a 1969 "Outstanding Young Man of America."

In 1972, the Oconee EMC board of directors hired Preston as the President/CEO of the corporation, where he served for 25 years prior to his retirement in Dublin, Georgia in 1997.

Preston was given many opportunities to be involved in the electric utility industry on both a state and national level, serving as chairman of several state and national boards. He assisted in organizing Oglethorpe Power Corporation, a statewide multi-billion dollar corporation, serving as an officer for the first 10 years and on the board until his retirement from Oconee EMC, in 1997. He enjoyed serving as an advisory board member and contributing writer for a national electric utility magazine.

He has given of his time to the Dublin/Laurens County community during his 43 years in the area, serving on the Easter Seals Board and as chairman, assisting in raising funds for the first building, member of the Dublin-Laurens Chamber of Commerce Board and as vice-president, President of the Order of Shillelagh, United Way Board, and a trustee of the Middle Georgia College Foundation Board for numerous years, and as chairman, presently, an Emeritus Trustee.

At First Baptist Church-Dublin, he was a deacon, twice chairman and member of the Board of Trustees, and as chairman. Responsible for demolishing the Claxton Hospital for the church, and seeing that the remaining lawn was put into usable condition, as well as having the responsibility of building the Family Center.

Preston served as president of the Dublin Rotary Club in 1974-75, and was elected Rotary International Governor in 1978, in Rome, Italy, serving as Governor in 1979-80. He and Beverly have represented 6 Rotary International Presidents/spouses at various district conferences, and Preston has served as the Treasurer of the Rotary International Zone for 4 years, and on the Executive Committee, and has served on several Rotary International committees and as chairman. He served for 23 years as a GRSP Trustee and Executive Trustee, and was presently an Emeritus Trustee.

Preston was also a loving husband, father, and grandfather (Dedaddy). He was married to the love of his life, Beverly, for almost 62 years. Preston's career and accomplishments were surpassed only by the love, care, and spiritual leadership he gave to his family.

Preston was a man of faith which he freely shared with family members on all occasions. His family's spiritual legacy will be impacted by his actions for generations to come.

The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to Serenity Hospice, 504 Hillcrest Pkwy, Dublin, GA 31021, or First Baptist Church of Dublin, 405 Bellevue Ave., Dublin, GA 31021