Arthur Lee Johnson

Arthur Lee Johnson, 89, passed away in Amarillo, Texas, on April 10, 2024. Funeral services will be held at Evangelical Fellowship, with a private graveside burial at Dreamland Cemetery on April 20.  His grandson, Blake Johnson, Pastor of Evangelical Fellowship of Amarillo, will officiate.

He lived an incredible life of quiet service to others and was deeply loved by his family. They are grateful for Arthur’s legacy of thoughtful discussions, love through hospitality, and persistent faith.
 
Arthur was born to Edward and Malinda Johnson on a farm near Ringwood, OK, on Jan 30, 1935. Arthur was blessed to grow up in a committed Christian home, a gift he and his wife, Marilyn, passed on to their children.

In 1956, Arthur met Marilyn Joan Dyer when they both worked at Back to the Bible Broadcast in Lincoln, Nebraska, while Art worked his way through college. They married on August 8, 1957, in Lincoln, Nebraska, and after graduating from college, Art taught high school History for several years. He returned to the University of Nebraska to earn his doctorate in Philosophy and in 1969 joined the West Texas State University faculty, where he faithfully taught as their only Philosophy professor for 30 years.  During that time he published an influential critique of Christian mysticism, Faith Misguided, and taught and wrote on numerous philosophical topics. 

Family, church, and the mountains were the three most striking aspects of Art’s life. He was devoted to his wife, sons, and grandsons. He was personally engaged in his church, helping start and lead two different congregations over the years. He built a cabin in the Colorado mountains by hand and used it to host students, friends, and family for decades.

Art enjoyed working on the cabin throughout his life.  Over the years he improved, rebuilt, and reimagined it, often enlisting help from family, friends, and students.  Art saw each of his cabin projects as an opportunity for connection, sharing his faith, love, and wit with others over tools, sawdust, coffee, and—most importantly—pancakes.   

Art was a kind, gentle, and thoughtful man. But he was also a man of deep conviction, as he demonstrated throughout his life. His family has been profoundly influenced by his life. They will miss his presence: how he inspired those around him to wrestle with ideas, always pursuing “truth in love.” (Eph. 4:15)

In a day when philosophy was out of style, Arthur consistently showed its importance in life. He often pointed out the consequences of not understanding the unspoken assumptions behind conscious beliefs about life. He cautioned against the pervasive influence of relativism in society and the allure of mysticism within Christian doctrine. His earnest questions spurred students, colleagues, and personal acquaintances, sharpening their understanding of theological, philosophical, and personal matters of faith and life.

Art was preceded in death by his parents, Edward and Malinda Johnson, and two brothers, Harold and Darold Johnson, and one brother-in-law, Harry Isaac.  He is survived by his wife, Marilyn Johnson; son Brad Johnson and wife, Vicki; son Randy Johnson and wife, LaDonna; grandsons Brian Johnson and wife, Christina; Blake Johnson and wife Candice; Levi Johnson and wife, Sarah; Seth Johnson; Aaron Johnson and wife, Saige; and 15 great-grandchildren. He is also survived by a brother, Leonard Johnson, and his wife Diane; his sister, Helen Isaac; and six nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests a donation to the David Williams Scholarship Fund, c/o Evangelical Fellowship of Amarillo, 5000 SW. 49th, Amarillo, TX  79109.