George Lake Johnson, Jr.

George Lake Johnson Jr., 92, of Spartanburg, SC passed away on Friday, April 25, 2025. Born in Spartanburg General Hospital, he was the son of George Lake Johnson Sr. and Anna Frances Spinks Johnson.

Growing up in Spartanburg, he attended Pine Street Elementary School, Jenkins Junior High School, and graduated from Spartanburg High School in 1951. As a young man he was a Cub Scout and Boy Scout at First Presbyterian Church. Later, he joined the Civil Air Patrol and was an active member of the YMCA, where he was a lifeguard, taught swimming, and coached Little and Pony League baseball. While attending Spartanburg High, he lettered in football and baseball and was given the nickname “Mighty Mouse” due to his speed and agility on the football field.

George graduated from Presbyterian College in Clinton, SC with a Bachelor of Science degree in 1955. In the fall he attended Officer Candidate School in Newport, RI and was commissioned an Ensign in the United States Navy in March 1956. His time in the Navy was always referred to as a “Great Adventure”, having served at sea on a Destroyer in the Pacific Ocean for three-and-a-half years. He retired as a Captain in the US Navy after 30 years of service.

While attending college, George married his high school sweetheart and the love of his life, Vicki Manatis. They traveled all over the country and world while in the Navy. In 1959 they returned to Spartanburg and George went into his father’s insurance business, George L. Johnson and Son. He had two jobs, the insurance business and the United States Navy Reserve. George had membership in several professional and civic organizations. He was in the Military Officer Association, Executive member of the Sertoma Club, Post 28 American Legion, Independent Insurance Agents Association, the YMCA, and the US Naval Institute Proceedings. He and Vicki were active members of St. John’s Lutheran Church where he served in various capacities and taught Sunday School for many years. Up until his death, George was the longest attending member of St. John’s. He remembered attending at the first location on South Converse Street in downtown Spartanburg.

In addition to his loving wife of 72 years, George is survived by his three daughters, Catherine J. Compton of Spartanburg, Elizabeth J. Shepard (Robert) of Charleston, and Judith J. Saad (Kent) of Spartanburg; grandchildren, Andrew L. Compton of Spartanburg, Ashley C. Compton of Spartanburg, Neil A. Shepard (Christina) of Charleston, Travis B. Shepard (Abby) of Charleston, Nicholas L. Shepard (Katie) of Charleston, Sarah Alexandra Saad of Spartanburg, and Lianna S. Blanton (Cory) of Spartanburg; great-grandchildren, Emory Grace Compton of Norfolk, VA, Parker A. Compton of Spartanburg, Cameron R. “Tootsie” Shepard of Charleston, Cyrus R. Shepard of Charleston, Lillian G. Shepard of Charleston, and Julius M. Shepard of Spartanburg; brothers-in-law, John V. Manatis (Becky) of Spartanburg and Lee V. Manatis (Pamela) of Spartanburg. In addition to his parents, George was preceded in death by his brother, Raymond T. Johnson of Spartanburg; grandson, Christopher N. Shepard of Charleston; son-in-law Phillip A. Compton of Spartanburg; and granddaughter, Caroline J. Compton of Spartanburg.

A service to celebrate George’s life will be held at 11:00am on Wednesday, April 30, 2025 at St. John’s Lutheran Church, 415 South Pine Street, Spartanburg, SC 29302, officiated by Reverends Heather and Wade Apel. The family will greet relatives and friends from 9:30-10:45am prior to the service in the church Fellowship Hall. A private committal service will be held in the Columbarium and Memorial Garden.

The family would also like to thank the caregivers in Evergreen at Eden Terrace in Spartanburg, Dayspring Caregivers in Spartanburg, and Family Hospice of Greenville for their compassionate and loving care. The family will be forever grateful.

George, Daddy, Papa, and Uncle will always be remembered as a man of faith who adored and cherished his wife, Vicki; his girls Cathy, Beth, and Judy; his devoted sons-in-law; and his precious grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, and nephews. George loved animals, history, exercise, and anything Navy. He was a wise man, always willing to share his advice and wisdom with family and friends. He was deeply loved and will be greatly missed.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. John’s Lutheran Church, 415 Pine Street, Spartanburg, SC 29302 or the YMCA, 151 Ribault Street, Spartanburg, SC 29302.

Excerpt from Sea Fever by John Masefield

I must go down to the seas again, to the vagrant gypsy life,

To the gull's way and the whale's way, where the wind's like a whetted knife;

And all I ask is a merry yarn from a laughing fellow-rover,

And quiet sleep and a sweet dream when the long trick's over.