James Massie Johnson Jr.

James Johnson Obituary

JOHNSON WINSTON-SALEM James Massie Johnson, Jr. August 30, 1933 - July 22, 2012 James Massie Johnson, Jr., age 78, passed away on Sunday, July 22, 2012 at Brighton Gardens. Mr. Johnson was born on August 30, 1933 in Lynchburg, Virginia to James Massie, Sr. and Nellie Brown Johnson. His early life was in Lynchburg where he was educated in the city schools. Massie was a graduate of the Cincinnati Conservatory where he earned his BA. He also graduated from the Manhattan School of Music in New York, NY with a Master in Musicology. He was the Timpanist with the Birmingham and St. Louis symphonies. Massie is best known as the Timpanist of the Winston-Salem Symphony from 1966 until his retirement. He was a founding faculty member of the UNC School of the Arts in the School of Music where he served as Assistant Dean of Music, taught music history and musicology. He recorded with the Columbia Masterworks and both attended and taught percussion at the Brevard Music Center in Brevard, North Carolina from the age of 18 to retirement. While teaching at the Brevard Music Center, he met the love of his life, Carol Moore, who was his student. They celebrated 48 years of marriage together. He was a member of St. Paul's Episcopal Church. Massie played percussion and timpani in several churches and various venues throughout the community. Massie was known as a fabulous percussion instructor and a consummate performer. He was gentle, kind, and a beloved member of the community. Surviving are his wife and partner in percussion, Carol Moore, of the home, one son, James Massie Johnson III, also a musician, composer and sound engineer, and wife Lauri Risser Johnson of Dallas, Texas, two granddaughters: Jami and Liese Johnson, and one daughter, Barbara Johnson Peacock and her husband Gerrit Johnson of Winston-Salem. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Tuesday, July 24 at St. Paul's Episcopal Church. The family will receive friends in the Colhoun Room following the service. Memorials may be made to the NC School of the Arts, 405 West 4th Street, Winston-Salem, NC 27101 or the Winston-Salem Symphony, 201 North Broad Street, Winston-Salem, NC 27101. Online condolences may be sent to www.salemfh.com.

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Published by Winston-Salem Journal on Jul. 24, 2012.

Memories and Condolences
for James Johnson

10 Entries

Jennie

July 18, 2024

Thinking of you today!
Very grateful to have known you as a teacher, a fellow percussionist and as a friend.
I know you´re up there playing those timpani in God´s symphony

Douglas Conrad Buckelew

October 28, 2023

Massie and I both grew up in Lynchburg. We were playmates for many years. His mother would take me on many trips around Lynchburg. His aunt Helen Brown taught English at E C Glass. I was assigned to her
class. She said it wouldn't be fair for her or me to stay in her class. She had me transferred to another class. She said I have known you since you were a little boy and hope I understood.

Jennie Brooks

October 20, 2023

Massie was so kind to prepare me for my recital in 2002. He was always patient and very encouraging. I could not have done it without him!

I think of him often and consider myself very fortunate to have known him.

Dan Armstrong

August 16, 2012

Carol,
I just heard. Massie was a class act personally, professionally, and musically. I greatly enjoyed working with both of you at BMC back in the '70's. You two were an inspirational couple - I'm so glad I had the chance to know you both. Take good care.

July 26, 2012

Dear Carol and Family, You are in my thoughts at this difficult time following Massie's death.
I remember him from just about the beginning at Brevard. Thank you for your support of my dad and for honoring his memory with the beautiful letter you wrote in 1997.
Massie touched many young musicians' lives in positive ways. You can all be proud of that.
Blessings and comfort,
Alice Keith Pfohl Knowles

July 25, 2012

Roger and I were so sorry to learn of Massie's death. Both of you had such a wonderful positive influence on Mark. He plays in the jazz band at his church ane they play at shelters

Susan Hill

steve cohen

July 24, 2012

Dear Carol,

As we sit in our cabin at Brevard we think of you guys often. Annie and I are so very sorry to hear about Massie. I was relating a story about him today since we're playing Sibelius 2 this week. I remember so fondly playing Sibelius 1 with him several times and when we got to the 3 movement, the sound he could get out of those tympani was shockingly enormous for such a little guy. What a player! We will miss him terribly and please give the kids our best as well. Just wanted to let you know we were thinking of you.

Steve and Annie Cohen

Jeanne Jones Majors

July 24, 2012

Dear Carol and family... What sad news to hear about your loss! You & Massie were such good friends & colleagues at BMC. He provided wonderful guidance to so many students and played so beautifully. I will cherish the good times we shared. Massie's genteel ways & musical excellence set a high standard for all of us to follow.

Patti Tolbert

July 24, 2012

Dear Carol and family,

I am so sorry to hear about the passing of Massie. He was such a huge part of my life and certainly of my career. I have such wonderful memories of both of you at Brevard. I have had you in my thoughts for all of these years and I am so sorry that I didn't get to see Massie again.

With love and sorrow,

Charles and Anne Wilson

July 24, 2012

Dear Carol and family,

We are indeed sorry for your great loss. Massie was an outstanding teacher for many UNCSA students, including our son, John -- firm, yet always gentle and kind. Our community is fortunate to have had him with us all these years.

With love and heartfelt sorrow,

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