John E. Johns, former president of Furman University, died Sept. 27 after a period of declining health. He was 85.
John E. JohnsJohns led the university from 1976-1994 and was president when Furman separated from the South Carolina Baptist Convention in 1992.
He died in Greenville, where he and his wife, Martha, continued to live after their retirement from the university.
A 1947 graduate of Furman, he previously was president of Stetson University in Florida (1970-1976), where he was credited with putting the school in the black with increased endowment and a strengthened athletic program. Likewise, he was acknowledged as having spurred significant growth to Furman’s endowment during his tenure.
Born in Ozark, Ala., Johns grew up in Florida and was the son of the late Thomas Maxwell Johns, longtime director of the Florida Baptist Children’s Home, and the late Susan Elizabeth Spires Johns.?Johns served in the Army Air Corps during World War II and flew 35 combat missions in the European Theatre aboard B-17 aircraft.? He received a number of military honors, including the Distinguished Flying Cross and the Air Medal with three oak leaf clusters.
He was a member of First Baptist Church of Greenville.
He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Martha Mauney Johns, three sons, and three grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held Oct. 1 at the Charles Ezra Daniel Memorial Chapel at Furman.