Longtime businessman/farmer passes
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Serving the community for decades, Jan Johnson passed away May 30 at age 81. Johnson was a volunteer, a coach, ran the Riverbend cattle farm, owned and operated Johnson Oil, served on the Dunlap City Commission, and served as president of the Dunlap Lions Club among his many activities and contributions.
The Riverbend Farm was recognized as a Sequatchie County Heritage Farm, for those at least 100 years old, in September 2024. The farm was designated as a Tennessee Century Farm in 2021.
Two years ago, Johnson discussed his early life and his passion for farming.
“When I was little, we’d go out to my grandfather’s (JB Johnson) cabin on Fredonia,” he said. “He explained to me how you couldn’t put all your eggs in one basket. He had a sawmill, and the mill and farm kept him going when other businesses weren’t going well.”
Johnson noted how he was thankful for all the support he had at the farm.
Coaching football in Jasper in the 1970s, he decided to move to Dunlap. While running Riverbend farm, Johnson continued the family’s fuel distribution business for 34 years. His father, Ralph, passed away shortly after he took over the fuel distribution.
A 1962 graduate of Sequatchie County High School, Johnson coached basketball and football at the school level and helped prepare future Indian players while coaching in the local Little League program. His efforts led to a modern field house being built at the former practice field at SCHS. Facilities continued to advance with a new stadium opening in 1999. Johnson coached youth baseball and softball in the valley district.
In recognition of Johnson’s contributions to the community, a proclamation ordering flags to be lowered to half-staff was announced by Dunlap Mayor Dwain Land.
Donations in Johnson’s memory can be made to the Pat Summitt Foundation, c/o Sequatchie Valley Walk for Alzheimer’s, PO Box 651, Dunlap, TN 37327.
