Jerry Barefoot Johnson, age 84, passed away on Wednesday, August 13, 2025, at the SECU Hospice House in Smithfield. Jerry was born in Fayetteville on August 13, 1941, to the late Loomis Wood and Mary Corene Barefoot Johnson. After graduating from Meadow High School, Jerry attended East Carolina University and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in business administration and later enlisted in the Army National Guard. He enjoyed a successful career with Progress Energy and retired in 1997. An early hobby for him was flying. He excelled in that endeavor and received his pilot’s license. He loved the adventure of soaring through God’s beautiful skies and sun-split clouds.
One of his favorite guides in life, which he kept taped down in his desk drawer at work and while at play in his man cave at the beach was from St. Frances of Assisi “I am as I am in the eyes of God. Nothing more, nothing less.”
Though the pain of his parting is great, the love he shared will remain in our hearts forever. Jerry is survived by his wife, Diane Raynor Johnson; brother, L. W. Johnson, Jr., nephews, Greg Tart, Kim Tart, and niece, Marcia Norris Southerland, as well as several grand and great nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, Jerry is preceded in death by his sisters, Jackie Johnson Tart and Jean Johnson Norris.
The family will receive friends on Saturday, August 16, 2025, from 1:30 – 2:30pm prior to the funeral. A funeral service celebrating Jerry’s life will follow at 2:30pm at the First Baptist Church of Clayton. A private burial will follow the services at Lee-Johnson Cemetery in Dunn.
The family wishes to express our appreciation for the outpouring of prayers, comforting words, food, and all expressions of kindness and concern.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Jerry’s name may be made to the First Baptist Church Clayton, 411 North Fayetteville Street, Clayton, NC 27520
