AUBURN – John W. C. Johnson Jr., 79, of Gainesville, Fla., died of natural causes Thursday, June 18, at his home in Auburn.

Jack was born June 25, 1929, in Clifton Forge, Va., and graduated from the Virginia Military Institute in 1949, and the University of Virginia Medical School in 1953.

He served in the U.S. Army Medical Corps from 1954 to 1956 and was a captain in the 77th Special Forces Group (Airborne). He had an illustrious career as a physician, serving as director of the Division of Maternal and Fetal Medicine at the Johns Hopkins University from 1973 to 1981, and was the Harry Prystowsky Professor of OB/GYN, University of Florida, from 1982 to 1999. He was recognized as Outstanding Teacher at the University of Florida in the 1990s. He served as president of the South Atlantic Association of Obstetricians and Gynecologists in 2000. He published 82 scientific papers and numerous book chapters and served as director of resident education throughout much of his career. No less important to him was his medical practice, where he served patients with high-risk pregnancies and infertility issues for 43 years.

He married Ann Bell, of Red Springs, N.C., in 1953. They raised five children over 54 years of marriage and enjoyed traveling, SCUBA diving, spending time with the grandchildren and cheering his favorite college team, the Florida Gators. Well known for his humor, gracious demeanor, and family devotion, he will be greatly missed by all.

He is survived by his four children, Matt Johnson, Kelly Large, Tom Johnson and Beverly Johnson; in-laws, Lillian Nayder, Budd Large, Debbie Johnson and Matt Duvall; and by 11 grandchildren.

He was predeceased by his wife, Ann Johnson; their son, John Johnson III; and his sisters, Bertha Mae Bogart of San Francisco, Calif., Jeanne Rust of Fairfax, Va., and Bette Woods of Melbourne, Fla.

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