Bruce Carlton Johnson

Bruce Carlton Johnson, age 68, passed away on June 2, 2023, in the ICU, Lexington Medical Center, West Columbia, SC, as the result of a heart attack. He was the son of Duane B. Johnson, Sr. and Nevelyn Mack Johnson. A funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, June 13, 2023 at McAlister-Smith Funeral and Cremation, 200 State Street,West Columbia, SC with visitation one hour prior in the chapel. Burial will follow at Riverside Cemetery, North, SC., where Bruce will rest beside his parents, daughter and brother.

Bruce was born May 11, 1955, and grew up in the family home on State Street in Cayce, with his older brother and two sisters. He was baptized at an early age at State Street Baptist Church, Cayce, SC. It was a wonderful, carefree time to be growing up. He worked from an early age delivering The State Newspaper and during high school at Brookland-Cayce High, he worked at McDonald's. He worked as a truck driver and deliverer. Later he moved to Pelion where his three children were born, and he lovingly cared for them. He was the one who provided for their daily needs from infancy on through their teen years. He spent quality time with them, leading them on happy field trips into the woods, and teaching them about all the wonders of the natural world. He had a passion for all living things, and rescued woodland creatures, nursing them back to health. Bruce was an excellent tennis player, loved Celtic music and taught his children to play chess. He enjoyed cooking, reading and researching. He worked with wood and bamboo, creating masterpieces. He was brilliant, but chose to live a simple life, even rescuing people who were down on their luck. Sometimes this turned out well, and sometimes not so well. Bruce lived life on his own terms and had his own sense of what was right and wrong, refusing to bend to the norms of society. He enjoyed visits with his sons in Maryland, California, and a road trip through Texas. New landscapes amazed him everywhere he went. He lived the last decade of his life back in the family home on State Street in Cayce.

Bruce was predeceased by his parents, his brother, Duane B. Johnson, Jr., his daughter, Olivia Kathryn Johnson, and the mother of his children, Sandra Deas. He is survived by his sons, Rodney Bruce Johnson (Kate) and 3 grandchildren, Luke Wilder Johnson, Allie Johnson, and Emelia Johnson, and by his son, Alexander (Alex) Mack Johnson, his sisters, Beverly Johnson Chisolm, and Ann Johnson Addy Calk, his sister-in-law, Julia Stewman Johnson, special friend whom he loved, Laura Brant, and 4 nieces and nephews, and 11 great nieces and nephews. The family wishes to thank Jack Briel for his help in so many ways.

Expressions of sympathy may be made online at McAlister-Smith.com/weco.

The family has entrusted McAlister-Smith Funeral and Cremation State Street with the handling of arrangements.