Yates Johnson

Loy Yates Johnson Jr., 79, of Spartanburg, SC, died Sunday, December 11, 2016 at Spartanburg Regional Hospice Home. Born January 12, 1937 in Spartanburg, SC he was the son of the late Loy Yates Johnson Sr. and Aline Eden Johnson. He grew up in Union, SC and received his BA Degree from Furman University in 1959. A veteran of the Army National Guard, Mr. Johnson began his career in textile sales with Milliken & Company and later, with R.L. Stowe Mills. In 1963 he founded his own company Yates Johnson & Co., Inc. An active member of The Episcopal Church of the Advent, Yates served on the vestry, was a member of the Gleaners Class and the Brotherhood of St. Andrews. Yates was involved in the Alston Wilkes Society until the local chapter moved to Columbia. He then enlisted the Brotherhood of St. Andrews to continue the tradition of a Christmas celebration for the Livesay Pre-Release Center. This year the Brotherhood held the annual Christmas party in honor of Yates. He was also a member of the Rotary Club and a Paul Harris Fellow. Yates was an avid tennis player and was ranked not only in the State of South Carolina but in the Southeast. He played tennis up until the week before he passed away. He has been a hobbyist beekeeper for the last 34 years and a member of the Spartanburg County Beekeepers Society. He is survived by his beloved wife of 50 years, Anna Dean Johnson, and by five children, Loy Yates "Tripp" Johnson III (Dr. April Jarrell Johnson), Margaret Johnson Kline (William Randall Kline), John Edward Johnson (Jennifer Primm), Wesley Miller Camp Johnson and David Samuel Johnson; seven grandchildren, Edward Yates Kline, Anna Eden Kline, Nettie Margaret Kline, Isabel Grace Johnson, Loy Yates "Fort" Johnson IV, Ella Jae Johnson and Jett Todd Johnson; a sister, Norma Woy and a brother, John Eden Johnson. A service honoring his memory will be conducted at The Episcopal Church of the Advent, 141 Advent St., Spartanburg, SC 29302 on Wednesday, December 14, 2016 at 3:00 PM by the Rev. J. Edward Morris, Rev. Stephen Y. McGehee, Rev. Dr. Clay Turner, and the Rev. Dahn Dean Gandell. A reception will follow at the Parish Life Center. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to The Episcopal Church of the Advent Foundation, 141 Advent Street, Spartanburg, SC 29302. The family is at the home. Floyd's North Church Street Chapel To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Yates Johnson please visit our Sympathy Store.