Dr. Torrey M. and Evelyn Johnson, 93 and 92, married for more than 71 years, died of natural causes on May 15 and 16, 2002. They have been residents of Wheaton since 1955. They also lived in Boca Raton, Florida, from 1969 until 1995.

They are the loving parents of Ruth Johnson of Wheaton, Torrey Jr. (Susan) Johnson of Gainsville, FL, and Arleen (Keith) Yoder of Wheaton; dear grandparents of Stephen W. Johnson, Kimberly (Bruce) Cameron, Torrey E. Johnson, John (Suzanne) Yoder and Christine (Flavio) Escareno; and great-grandparents of 5. Torrey is the brother of Clifford (Elinor) and Eugene (Florence) Johnson, and the late Marshall Johnson, Lillian Berntson and Arling Johnson. Evelyn is the sister of Coreen (the late Dr. Robert A.) Cook.

Evelyn H. Johnson was born on October 1, 1909, in Chicago, to Harold and Hilda Nilsen. She graduated with a degree in education and taught during the depression in the Chicago Public Schools. She was involved with her husband in ministry and, later in life, traveled the world with him as he did evangelical and motivational speaking.

Torrey Maynard Johnson was born March 15, 1909, one of six children of parents who had come from Norway to the Chicago area, where they had met and married. He was named Torrey because of the admiration his father, Jacob Martin, had for the work of Reuben Archer Torrey, prominent evangelist of that period. The Johnson family lived in Humboldt Park and several other Chicago area locations, and were members of the Evangelical Free church. They also owned a cottage in Williams Bay, Wisconsin, where they spent the summer months.

Dr. Johnson attended both Salmon P. Chase and Thomas Waters elementary schools, graduating from the latter. He began assisting his father as a helper in the senior Johnson's selling activities, and continued to hold many different jobs throughout his years at Carl Schurz High School. In 1926, he enrolled in Wheaton College, selected because of his father's contacts with Wheaton president Charles Blanchard, who was often a speaker at the Evangelical Free church. At Wheaton, he majored in science as preparation for his ambition to become a dentist and oral surgeon. He was also active in the sports program. During the summers he earned tuition by working at and eventually purchasing routes delivering ice in the Williams Bay area.

In 1927, Johnson transferred to Northwestern University's Dental School, and studied on the McKinlock campus in Chicago between that year and 1929. Though raised in a devoutly Christian home, Johnson had first experienced a certainty of salvation at a service in Wheaton College's Pierce Chapel in January 1927. This event, coupled with a growing realization that a career of Christian service should be his goal, led to his leaving the dental school after a year and a half of study. He returned to Wheaton College, where he received a Bachelor of Science degree in 1930. While at Wheaton, Johnson was elected a member of the Wheaton College Scholastic Honor Society. The year of his graduation, he and Evelyn Nilsen were married, and they subsequently had a family of one boy and two girls.

Johnson felt a call to the ministry, and began a pastorate in the Messiah Church, Chicago. In October 1933, he accepted the challenge of organizing a new nondenominational church on Chicago's northwest side, Midwest Bible Church. He remained as its leader until January l, 1953. During those years, the church experienced growth from 26 members meeting in a private home to 1000 members, making use of ten buildings in the immediate vicinity of its city location.

In 1936, Johnson received a Doctorate of Divinity degree at Northern Baptist Seminary, and became an instructor of New Testament Greek and World History at the Seminary, a post he held until 1940. During these same years, he served as president of the Wheaton College Alumni Association.

In 1941, as an outreach of the ministry of Midwest Bible Church, Dr. Johnson initiated a week-night radio broadcast, Chapel Hour, over station WAIT. Four years later, this broadcast expanded to extend Johnson's message over the newly formed ABC network reaching beyond the Chicago area. An additional Sunday evening program, "Songs in the Night," was turned over to Rev. Billy Graham, then serving as pastor to the Village Church, Western Springs, Illinois, to free Johnson for the network duties.

In October, 1941, a group of conservative Christians, dissatisfied with the positions taken by the Federal Council of Churches, met in Chicago to form an association of like-minded individuals, groups, or denominations. Dr. Johnson was named midwest representative of the group, which officially became the National Association of Evangelicals in 1943.

In 1944, the Chicago chapter of the informal movement known as Youth for Christ was begun under Dr. Johnson's leadership, and he became Midwest Director in addition to his pastoral duties. In 1945, Youth for Christ was formally organized and Johnson was chosen to be its first president. Also in 1945, Johnson received two honorary degrees: a D.D. from Wheaton College, and an Hum.D. from Bob Jones University. In 1949, he was awarded an honorary LL.D. from Northwestern Schools.

As president of YFC, Johnson exemplified the enthusiastic, expansive, experimental spirit that marked the organization's early years. He was often traveling in Europe and America to speak to rallies and to help organize new branches of YFC. In 1948, he resigned as president in order to devote more time to his own evangelistic work and to his duties at Midwest Bible Church.

In addition to his pastoral duties, Johnson was involved in evangelistic campaigns. In 1950, he preached in Oakland, California, at a Mid-Century Revival attended by 20,000 people. These evangelistic activities continued to grow, and, in 1953, he resigned his pastorate to become a full-time evangelist. In that capacity, he preached across the United States and in Europe, South America, Africa, and the Far East. This extensive evangelistic work continued until February, 1967, when he became senior pastor of the nonsectarian, interracial Bibletown Community Church and president of Bibletown Bible Conference and Concerts.

Johnson remained with the Bibletown Church for the following fifteen years, and retired in February 1982. During the years of his active career, he was also a member of the Board of Directors or on the Advisory Council of All Nations Evangelistic Fellowship, American Indian Crusade, Bob Jones University, Chicago Hebrew Mission, Greek American Missionary Association, Hindustan Bible Institute, Inc., King's College, Light Bearers Association, and Slavic Gospel Association. He was a member of Pi Gamma Mu (National Social Science Honor Society), a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society, London, England, and listed in Who's Who in America. Dr. Johnson died on May 15, 2002.

Visitation took place on Tuesday, May 21 from 3-8 p.m. at the Hultgren Funeral Home, 304 North Main Street, Wheaton. Funeral services took place on Wednesday, May 22, 1:30 p.m., at the Wheaton Evangelical Free Church, 520 East Roosevelt Road, Wheaton. Private interment will be held at Wheaton Cemetery. Memorials may be directed to Youth For Christ International Ministries, Boca Raton Community Church, or Midwest Bible Church.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Suburban Life Publications on Jun. 19, 2002.

Memories and Condolences
for Torrey M. and Evelyn Johnson

Sponsored by an anonymous donor.

29 Entries

Mark Sandeno

May 17, 2006

In 1974 my father was battling cancer at the Mayo clinic and had the privelage of meeting and having Dr. Johnson pray for him and our family. After hearing Dr. Johnson on the radio for years, he was thrilled to finally meet face to face and pray together.

Jesse Holland

March 23, 2004

Dear Sir or madam,

Dr Johnson preached at my commissioning service with British Youth For Christ in 1989. What a Christian leader.

Our loss.

Revd Jesse Holland

mary bisson

August 7, 2002

How beautiful that their married lives were so intertwined with service and that their lives into eternity were so close together.

Mary B. Mich.

SHAWNA HESTER

August 5, 2002

TO THE FAMILY, MY DEEPEST SYMPATHY. I DID NOT KNOW THESE TWO WONDERFUL PEOPLE. I WAS ACTUALLY LOOKING FOR A FRIEND'S MOM AND READ THEIR STORY. TO THE FAMILY, HAVE NO FEAR BECAUSE YOUR PARENTS ARE WITH THE LORD. KEEP GOD FIRST AND EVERYTHING ELSE WILL FALL INTO PLACE.

Rosalind Roland

August 1, 2002

I didn't know this extraordinary couple, but couldn't help but read their history. How the Lord blessed them--to die virtually within hours of each other. Wish I had the pleasure of churching with them.

Bridgette Pinkelman

July 30, 2002

what a beautiful story and a wonderful way to memorialize their life

Lori

July 27, 2002

What a beautiful couple! I pray that everyone would find someone to love them the way this couple did. How inspiring!

Leslie Woolf - LeBlanc

July 19, 2002

I had just read their story and I was so impressed with what they done. They were GREAT PEOPLE.

" GOD BLESS THER FAMILY "

Leslie Woolf - LeBlanc

Barbara Halvorsen Bulman

July 16, 2002

I went to Mayfair Bible Church, but would go to Midwest from time to time - in the 1940s.

Youth For Christ was very important to my growth in Christ, for which I am eternally grateful to Dr. Johnson.

maria

July 15, 2002

I did not know them personally, but when I see their picture and read their story, I wish I had known them.

They are beautiful.

God Bless you all.

July 14, 2002

Thomas Martin

Millie Tollefsen/Helmle

May 22, 2002

My dear Ruth,

Your Dad led me to the Lord! He was my pastor, leader and father to a great childhood friend. God bless you and please come to visit me in California. I love you. Thanks for the memories.

Beth Morgan

May 22, 2002

Ruth, my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family at this difficult time. What truly remarkable parents you had.

Mike Bullock

May 21, 2002

Torrey and Sue, I would like to offer my deepest regrets to your double loss. Please know my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.

Cindy Perrino

May 21, 2002

I have a friend who passed ...and as I was looking for him here I came across this obituary and it moved me to tears...Sadness and Joy in my heart is what I feel to know that they will forever be together what a beautiful love story!!

Greg Asimakoupoulos

May 21, 2002

Reviewing Torrey's Story

The saga of the preacher

and his bride

is a simple one.

Side by side they lived

and side by side they died.

And side by side

they served their Lord

to bring the Savior glory.

And, praise God, they did.

Although it's simple,

Torrey's story is a novel one.

Because it's written in the ink of blood, sweat and tears,

you'd have reason to think it would be a bestseller.

And you'd be right.

It's a diary of devotion

documenting fidelity in marriage and ministry.

It's a biography

that lit a lasting flame

in one named Billy Graham.

It's a dog-eared volume

because of thousands who

(through the years)

became warmed by the preacher's blazing passion

to claim all youth for Christ.

Torrey's story is a page-turner

that is bound to inspire

an inner fire

for generations to come.

In page after page, year after year,

this walking encyclopedia was abundantly clear

that the purpose of life (and death)

is not found in riches

but in claiming a gift that is free.

by Rev. Greg Asimakoupoulos

Windsor Park Manor

Management Advisory Council

Sharon and Jim Huck

May 21, 2002

Torrey and Evelyn Johnson have been our next door neighbors for 26 years. We will miss them. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.

Linda & Frank Young

May 20, 2002

We remember the Johnsons as loving and proud parents and grandparents through our friendship with their daughter Arleen and her family.

Our hope is in the risen Lord. He promised a wonderful home for those who love and folow him and we are sure that the Johnson's are there, together, rejoicing with the Him.

May Jesus and his love comfort and sustain you all during the months ahead.

Torrey John Landgraf

May 20, 2002

Torrey Johnson has had a great impact on my family while we lived in Boca Raton and attended Bibletown in the 70's. I was named after Dr. Torrey Johnson in 1978. We were all truly blessed by God to have these two individuals in our lives. The Johnson's have made a significant impact on the world as well as many peoples lives. May the Lord continue to bless the Johnson family. Keep on Keeping on...

Randy Brown

May 20, 2002

My Staff and I offer deepest regrets to your double loss. Your Mom and Dad were obviously still deeply in love with one another and did not wish to be separated even in death. I know that even now that they are rejoicing together again and watching over your and their other loved ones.

Thao Cai

May 20, 2002

Torrey and Sue: My prayers have never left you, and my heart has been with your family from the beginning. In His Love.

"… though you have not seen Him, you love Him, and though you do not see Him now, but believe in Him, you greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory...

— 1 Peter 1:8 NASB

Philip Dziki

May 20, 2002

In the 40's and early 50's, Dr. Torrey Johnson had such a great impact on my Grandmother and her children. My grandparents were Philip and Anna Anderson who lived on Octavia near Harlem and Irving. Their attendance at Midwest Bible Church under Dr. Johnson had a lasting impact and many, many memories, some of which were passed down to the grandchildren. One that my mother related to me over the weekend, was her being caught by Dr. Johnson with blue nail polish on her nails. They have fond memories of his ministry and work as children going to church at Midwest Bible Church.

The Hultgren Family and Staff

May 20, 2002

Offering our deepest condolences during this difficult time.

Joseph E. Smyth

May 19, 2002

I have had the pleasure of working with Torrey Johnson (Son of Dr. Johnson) in the Florida Park Service. Though I did not know the Johnsons (Sr.), I can attest to the character of their son, and that he is a living testimony of the moral character of his parents. The family of the Florida Park Service offer our prayers and support to the Johnson family in this time of sorrow. Our wish and hope is that the family can take solace in sharing the joyous memories of their time with their parents and will look forward to seeing them again in Glory.

Kimberly Lajewski (Landgraf)

May 19, 2002

Torrey Johnson had a major impact on my parents while they attended Bibletown in the 70's. My youngest brother, Torrey John was named after Dr. Torrey Johnson in 1978. He was a man after God's heart and lived his life to glorify Jesus Christ. May you recognize the blessing you were given in God retrieving them at the same time. May God continue to bless you all in this time of celebrating your parents lives. KEEP ON KEEPING ON.

Dave and Jean Winfield

May 19, 2002

Our prayers are with you during these days of transition. We know that the Lord is comforting you!!

Dave and Jean Winfield

Herbert L. Wyman

May 19, 2002

I was shocked and sadened to learn of the passings of these dear friends of the past. These dear folks both served the LORD faithfully for many years. Dr. Johnson before service would do a hands on greeting of everyone in the congregation. There is a great loss for us but a great and Blessed graduation for them as he said of my grandmothers passing. Will be praying for the family at this time. Phil. 1:6

Marcia (Reiff) Wyman

May 19, 2002

Philippians 1:3 I thank my God upon every remembrance of you. I was 18 when I met Torrey Johnson. He became a dear friend and a caring pastor to my family and me. He was very kind to my invalid mother and I am sure she will be one to welcome him in glory. He was always there when we needed him. His daughter Ruth was in my wedding party as a jr. bridesmaid. Evelyn and Torrey surely showed the love of Jesus to us and we appreciate them so much and praise the Lord for having known them.

Herbert Wyman

May 19, 2002

Sixty yrs. ago, Torrey married my wife, Marcia, and I at Midwest Bible Church. I also have great memories of when Dr. Johnson was beginning Youth for Christ along with Billy Graham. Torrey was an encouragement of Marcia's and my courtship. God bless his memory.

Showing 1 - 29 of 29 results