C. BOSWORTH (BOS) JOHNSON, JR., 85, died Sunday, November 23, 2014 at Woodlands Retirement Community. He was the son of the late Clyde Bosworth and Elizabeth Lee Reese Johnson. He is survived by his wife, Dr. Dorothy Rensch Johnson, daughters Dr. Elizabeth Johnson Paulsen, Decatur, Ga.; Carol Anne Walton, Louisville, Ky.; Susan Johnson, Charlotte, N.C.; Janice Lanning, Thomasville, N.C.; son Robert, of Huntington; and nine grandchildren: Adam, Jacquelyn, Max and Drew of Thomasville, Matt and Reese of Louisville, Grace and Sarah of Decatur, and Ginny of Huntington. Born March 9, 1929 in Charleston, W.Va., Bos earned his A.B. degree from West Virginia University (1949), and his M.A. from Marshall University (1969). After early broadcasting jobs in Bluefield and Morgantown, W.Va., he joined WSAZ-AM-TV Huntington-Charleston in 1952. Following a variety of assignments, he was named News Director and principal anchor in 1960, a position he occupied until 1976 when he joined Marshall University as Associate Professor of Journalism, leaving there in 1988 to join Charles Ryan Associates as vice president. He served as president of Cabell-Wayne United Community Services (United Way) (1962-63), chairman of the Huntington Regional Chamber of Commerce (1980), member and chairman (1977-88) of the WV Educational Broadcasting Authority (which named its board room in his honor), and as board member of Leadership Tri-State, Marshall University Library Associates, and formerly board member of Cammack Children's Center and the Cerebral Palsy Council. He was appointed to the Huntington Board of Zoning Appeals in 2006. Bos was treasurer (1968-73) and president (1973-74) of the Radio Television News Director's Association. He received the Preceptor Award from San Francisco State University, Distinguished Service Award from the Marshall Journalism Alumni Association, Phil Vogel Memorial Award from the WV Associated Press, Distinguished Broadcaster Award from the WV Broadcasters Association, the Silver Circle Award from National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences, the W. Va. Associated Press Lifetime Achievement Award, and membership in the inaugural West Virginia Broadcasting Hall of Fame. He was ordained an elder in the First Presbyterian Church in 1958, and served as Sunday School teacher, lay preacher and Session member. He chaired the advisory board of Presbyterian Survey (now Presbyterians Today) and in 1997 was moderator of the Presbytery of West Virginia. Memorial service will be conducted 11 a.m. Wednesday, November 26, 2014 at the First Presbyterian Church, Huntington, by The Rev. Skip Seibel. Friends may call Tuesday 4 to 6 p.m. at Klingel-Carpenter Mortuary. The family requests memorial gifts be made to the Campus Christian Center, 1 John Marshall Drive, Huntington, WV 25755. Family guestbook at www.klingelcarpenter.com.

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Published by The Herald-Dispatch on Nov. 25, 2014.

Memories and Condolences
for C. JOHNSON

Sponsored by Klingel-Carpenter Mortuary.

11 Entries

Laura Deveny

December 3, 2014

Dear Johnson family,

My earliest memories are set in a place we shared. Your husband and father was a kind, positive force in that world. In later years when we reconnected, it was clear that he had saved my place. The goodness that I recognized in him as a child has touched his every life endeavor and has certainly left its mark on many lives. Please accept my condolences on the bereavement that you feel upon the transition of his spirit.

Sincerely,
Laura

Pia Cummings

November 30, 2014

My sympathies to Dottie and family. Bos was my mentor and teacher while at MU. He was dear to my heart. May his memory be eternal.

Charles Harper

November 29, 2014

Bos set the standard for TV news at WSAZ. He also set a high standard for life. My sympathy to Dottie and his family. He will be missed.

Jim & Joy Bartlett

November 28, 2014

My wife and I were members of the Sunday school class that Bos taught in 1967-68. Great teacher. May Shalom facilitate the healing process during this time of bereavement.

Sharon Smith

November 27, 2014

A man that was greatly honored and deeply respected.

Charmaine Posson

November 26, 2014

I. Am in a state. Of. Shock!!!!!!!!!!! I have. Had. Bos. On. My mind and. Was. Going. To. Call. That. Shows. Me. NeVer put. Off doing. Things. When. You. Think. Of. Them. I just. Opened. My. I Pad. This. Morning. And. Got. The. Message. And. I. Am. In. Shock!!!!!!!! You. Are. At. The. Church. Now. I. Will. Call. You. In. A couple. Days. As. I. Know Your. Family. Are. With. You. wish. I. Was. Closer. It. Was. Šo. Good. To. Call and. Talk. With. Bos. Love. And God Bless! Charmaine

Diane Ross

November 25, 2014

I had the honor of being a Bos Johnson student. I remember putting together our first newscast, on a schedule. We failed, miserably. He was a wonderful teacher and a terrific all around person. He made a point to stay in touch over my life time, and I appreciate his sharing of knowledge and advice. There will never be another Bos Johnson, his picture sits beside the true definition of broadcast news.

Teresa Buckland

November 25, 2014

Carol, so very sorry for your loss. We appreciate how freely your family shared your father with us over the years. He will not be forgotten. God bless and comfort you all. - TERESA (FRASHER) BUCKLAND - HHS'71

November 25, 2014

As a Marshall University freshman in 1983, I took Bos Johnson's Journalism 101 class and was hooked. I have never forgotten the lessons he taught me, lessons of professionalism, integrity, and good story-telling. Even beyond those valuable lessons, he believed in me and in all of his students. I treasure my opportunity to learn from such a great man. My thoughts and prayers are with the family.

Vikki Young Franklin
MU - BA '87

November 25, 2014

Carol - your friends at CenterOne West are praying for you and your family during this loss.

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