
Arthur Lemuel "Lem" Johnson
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Mr. Arthur Lemuel (Lem) Johnson (age 94) passed away peacefully in his home with his entire family around him Sunday morning, February 18, 2024. Funeral service will be held Wednesday, February 21, 2024 at 2pm at Round Pond Church, 250 Round Pond Church Road, Franklin, KY 42134. Burial will follow in Greenlawn Cemetery. Visitation will be from 2pm until 8pm Tuesday and from 6am until 10am Wednesday at the funeral home. Visitation will continue on Wednesday from 12noon until service time at 2pm at the church. Born November 2, 1929 to the late Leslie and Golden (Downey) Johnson, he was also preceded in death by his two sisters Lorene Johnson Powers and Kathleen Johnson Holman. He is survived by his wife, of nearly 63 years, Virginia (Armistead) Johnson, daughter - Lydia Johnson Latham, son - Frank Alan Johnson, daughter in law - Amy Munafo Johnson all of Franklin and three grandsons - Noah Latham of Huntsville, AL, Alan and Carter Johnson of Franklin, niece - Brenda Holman Wright of Franklin and nephew - Rick Holman of Maryland.
Lemuel raised his first crop at twelve years old and continued to work each day until his late 80s. He attended Round Pond School and later Franklin High School graduating in 1948. He began hauling fuel to local farmers in 1951 while also farming on his family farm in the Rapids community of Simpson County. His mother would take the calls and stretch a quilt across a wire attached to the chicken coop so that he could see from anywhere on the farm that he had a delivery to make. Knowing he needed knowledge to run a business, Lem attended Bowling Green Business College where he received an Associate's degree. He established his own bulk plant in Franklin as a distributor of Gulf Oil and hauled fuel for the construction of I-65 for .06 cents per gallon along with country stores and farmers across the county. He continued to grow the business for years and serviced businesses and individuals in several counties in south central Kentucky and northern middle Tennessee. He continued running the business until 2005 when the after effects of Hurricane Katrina immediately changed the fuel business. He had never been through that before, and he told his children they might as well figure it out as him and immediately retired. He stayed on to help and advise for several more years, allowing them to run the business their way, and is celebrating its seventy third year in business.
Lem was a lifetime member of Round Pond Church where his grandfather was a founding member. He served as a long time elder, taught Sunday School, helped build the currently standing sanctuary, Sunday School wings and later fellowship hall. He served on various community boards including the hospital, Chamber of Commerce and Franklin Bank & Trust Board as well as being a member of the Jaycees.
Lemuel was always known as a quiet, humble leader and had a profound impact on the people who knew him as well as on the community. He was a man of service and helped more people than anyone ever knew. He truly lived Matthew 6:3 "when you give to someone in need, don't let your left hand know what your right hand is doing."
From a prayer group he held at his office many years ago where a variety of business owners, pastors and farmers gathered, Lemuel helped start Good Samaritan, Inc to consolidate churches' help to those in need. He also played a foundational part in establishing the local Boys & Girls Club to give Simpson County youth a safe place to go after school to get homework help, to teach character, citizenship and healthy lifestyles programming along with a space to have fun and have caring mentors the youth can count on.
In lieu of flowers you may make donations to the Boys & Girls Club of Franklin-Simpson, Inc., P. O. Box 888, Franklin, KY 42135; Good Samaritan, Inc., 111 South Main St. Franklin, KY 42134 or if you would like to support not only these but the many other community endeavors Lemuel encouraged and supported, you can donate to the A. L. (Lemuel) & Virginia Johnson Foundation, Inc. P. O. Box 283, Franklin, KY 42135.

