LONG TIME JOURNALIST DIES

Joshua C. Johnson, 36, died Saturday at his home in DeSoto. Johnson was well known and respected in the southwest Dallas County and Ellis County communities, where he served as chief executive editor of Focus Daily News from 2007 to present.

Johnson is survived by his mother, Marilyn Burton, and father Samuel E. Burton. He is also survived by brothers Eric Johnson Jr., Caleb L. Johnson, and Isaac H. Malone; grandparents Idella Washington and Henry Kennedy; and girlfriend Ebony Smith; along with a host of nieces, nephews, aunts and uncles.

Johnson graduated from Lincoln High School, and received his BA in Communications from Paul Quinn College in Dallas. He was currently working toward a Master’s Degree in Business from Grand Canyon University.

Prior to his tenure as executive editor at Focus Daily News, Johnson was a news reporter for the North Dallas Gazette. He covered the police beat and political issues at the Gazette. At Focus Daily News, he was honored three times by the Dallas Bar Association for Excellence in legal reporting. Johnson’s most recent award was in 2018 chosen as best in the Suburban Newspaper Division for his feature on an inspirational police officer for the Lancaster Independent School District.

Ellis County Press News Editor Rita Cook worked with Johnson at Focus Daily News for 12 years and said in a tribute she wrote for that paper yesterday,

“I would have been on his team any day, any time and he knew it. He will be missed by so many in the Southwest Dallas and Ellis County Community,

“I hope he is looking at all of us right now from some great perch in the sky and he knows how much he was loved and how much he will be missed. Josh was the kind of person no one will ever replace – no one ever needs to – he had his own special blend of love and light and patience and he sent it out to all who knew him.”

Visitation will be held on Friday evening at the Grand Lounge at Paul Quinn College, with a Star Wars-themed candlelight vigil. Floral tributes can be sent to the Evergreen Funeral Home, 6449 University Hills Blvd., Dallas, TX 75241; Office 214-376-1500.

A GoFund Me account has been set up for those who wish to make a donation to help the family with funeral expenses. Details are available on the Focus Daily News Facebook page.

Funeral arrangements are still being finalized for the funeral service scheduled for Saturday at a location TBD. Johnson’s body will lie in state one hour before the service begins.

Final arrangements will be updated on Focus Daily News website (focusdailynews.com) and its Facebook page.