KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Former University of Tennessee President Joe Johnson has died, the school announced Friday. He was 90 years old.
Johnson was UT system president from 1990 to 1999 and returned to serve as interim president from 2003 to 2004. After his retirement in 1999, he served as president emeritus and remained active at the University.
Johnson spent more than 50 years at UT and was known for his popularity with the alumni association.
He worked closely with long-time presidents Andy Holt and Ed Boling, and he is considered the architect of the UT System structure, created in 1968. In 2014, the UT Board of Trustees presented him with its Lifetime Achievement Award.
“Dr. Johnson was the embodiment of the University of Tennessee,” UT System President Randy Boyd said. “UT would not be the great institution it is today without the leadership, vision and compassion for people that Dr. Johnson so eloquently had. This is a tremendous loss for our university system, but an even greater loss to the state of Tennessee.”
Congressman Tim Burchett and his family offered their condolences.
"Kelly and I are praying for former UT President Joe Johnson's family. I've known him my entire life, and I know he cared deeply about the students at UT and his community. He'll be truly missed in East Tennessee," he said.
UT announced funeral arrangements for Johnson. His family will receive friends at Laurel Church of Christ in Knoxville on Tuesday, Oct. 3, from 4 to 7 p.m. as well as Wednesday, Oct. 4, from 2 to 3 p.m. The memorial service will be on Wednesday at 3 p.m. at Laurel Church of Christ.
During Johnson’s tenure as president, the University marked several milestones, including its bicentennial in 1994 and completion in 1998 of the 21st Century Campaign that raised $432 million.
Former UT President Joe Johnson
Johnson served two years in the U.S. Army beginning in 1956 and was stationed in Korea. He was honorably discharged in 1958 as a sergeant.
Johnson was involved in many community organizations, including Imagination Library of Knox County, the Pat Summitt Foundation, Helen Ross McNabb Center, Knox Area Rescue Ministries and the National Council of the Boy Scouts of America. In 2012, he was honored with the Silver Antelope Award, the highest award the national council gives to volunteers at the region level.
An award for UT employees to mark 50 years of service was named in his honor. The Joe Johnson Lifetime Service Award was first given out in 2013.
Johnson is survived by Pat, his wife of 64 years, and daughter and son-in-law, Kelly and Bill Harlin, and two grandchildren, Luke Harlin and Tucker Harlin. He was preceded in death by his son, Kent Johnson, in 2020.
Jeff Smith, the interim President and CEO of UT-Battelle, also released a statement about Johnson. It is available below.
"Joe Johnson is the individual who brought together the University of Tennessee and Battelle Memorial Institute to operate Oak Ridge National Laboratory. His vision began a partnership that enriched the university, modernized the lab, and ensured its continued positive impact for Tennessee and the nation. He was a great leader and great friend."
Johnson was instrumental in the creation of UT-Battelle, which operates Oak Ridge National Laboratory. The organization was awarded the contract around a month after Johnson retired in 1999.