Ralph "Joel" Johnson

Ralph Joel Johnson, 71, of Sylva, died peacefully at home March 12, 2026 surrounded by his loving family. He was born January 17, 1955 in Fort Bragg, North Carolina.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Anna Lee Haga Johnson and Ralph Duncan Johnson, Jr.. He is survived by his wife of 33 years, Marcia Boyd Johnson, and two daughters - Ashley Allen (Patrick Reams) of Jonesboro, AR and Lauren Allen (Ryan Beshears) of Whitsett and two grandsons – Jack Reams and Beckett Beshears. He is survived by two sisters – Joy Holshouser (Rick) of John’s Island, SC and Jacqueline Johnson of Arrowsic, ME, two nephews - Clint Myers and Steven Holshouser, and two nieces - Maggie Friedman and Caroline McKeon.

Joel was raised in Charlotte and graduated from Independence High School. He attended Clemson University and began land surveying in 1978. He became a licensed land surveyor in 1997 and opened Joel Johnson Land Surveying in Sylva in 2002. He was passionate about mentoring others in the surveying profession and served as advisor to Southwestern Community College’s surveying and engineering technology program. Distinguished in his field, Joel was designated as North Carolina’s Surveyor of the Year in 2019. Joel was president of the Nantahala chapter of the N.C. Society of Surveyors for many years and also served as president of the statewide organization in 2013.

He will be remembered as a loving husband, caring brother, devoted father, and fun-loving grandpa.

Visitation will be held from 3-5 p.m. Sunday, March 15, 2026 at Appalachian Funeral Services in Sylva. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the North Carolina Society of Surveyors Education Foundation.