Oscar N. Johnson, a retired contract supervisor at the Philadelphia Navy Yard’s power plant in South Philadelphia who served as a deacon at his Germantown Church for over 30 years, died Oct. 14 at his home in Mt. Airy. He was 102.
When Johnson reached the centenary mark on his birthday in February of 2022, the longtime Mt. Airy resident attributed the milestone achievement, in part, to what he believed was the purpose for his life.
“God put me here to watch over somebody, I guess,” Johnson said while sitting at his kitchen table.
For decades, Johnson fulfilled that mission whether he was raising children at home, serving in the military, working a job or carrying out his duties as a deacon at Mt. Zion Baptist Church of Germantown. All the while, through every period marked by happiness, and then heartbreak, Johnson maintained that “God was in my corner.”
Born in Bainbridge, Ga., Johnson was two when his family moved to Philadelphia. Johnson’s father worked at a meatpacking plant. His mother worked as a housekeeper. Growing up in a family of six children, Johnson described himself as the prankster in the family.
He graduated from Benjamin Franklin High School, and later worked as a cook, a handyman, and as a shipfitter at the Navy Yard in South Philadelphia before he was drafted in the U.S. Army Air Force. He was assigned to train soldiers to fight overseas after he said he was denied a position as a warrant officer because he was Black. He returned to Philadelphia after a three-year stint.
Johnson resumed his work at the Navy Yard, eventually working at the complex’s power plant as a contract supervisor. In 1942, he married Louise Askew after the couple met at a Baptist church event.
During their 60 years together, the Johnsons raised two children, son Nathaniel Alonzo and daughter Jannice Turner. In his modest home off Germantown Avenue, Johnson served as the all-purpose dad-do-it-yourselfer – the family’s carpenter, electrician, plumber and contractor.
At Mt. Zion, he served as chairman of the trustee board, and vice chairman of the deacon ministry. Known for his mellifluous baritone, Johnson, with his wife, co-founded the church’s DMJ Meditation Choir. Johnson’s signature solo “If I Can Help Somebody” was a congregation favorite.
In 2002, Johnson’s wife of 60 years died of heart failure. The couple’s son died six months later as a result of ALS. During a 2022 interview, Johnson said that his faith, affirmed in Psalm 23, helped him to make it through.
Continuing to live in his longtime family home with his daughter, Johnson, an avid reader, enjoyed “The Bourne Identity” series, westerns, the movie “Avatar” and anything associated with “The Grinch who Stole Christmas.” During the December holidays, Johnson, a snazzy dresser, wore his Grinch pajamas.
Eventually, a series of chronic illnesses confined Johnson to his home. After a recent surgery, rehabilitation and return home, Johnson died in his sleep.
In addition to his daughter, Johnson is survived by grandchildren Erika and Dawn Johnson; two great grandchildren, one great-great grandchild and other relatives. Services were Monday at Mt. Zion Baptist Church. Burial was at George Washington Memorial Park in Plymouth Meeting.
