NEWTON COUNTY, Ga. — Judge Horace Johnson, who made history in Newton County and in Georgia, has died.
The county confirmed to Channel 2 Action News that he died Wednesday morning. The cause of death is not yet known.
Johnson helped integrate Newton County schools in the 1960s, and became one of the first African-American lawyers to work in the county shortly after he graduated from the University of Georgia’s law school.
Appointed to the bench by Democratic Gov. Roy Barnes in 2002, Johnson later served as the first black president of the state Council of Superior Court Judges. He said his experience on the Alcovy Circuit bench, which spans Newton and Walton counties, will serve him well on the state’s highest court.
The county released a statement about Johnson’s death:
“Newton County is saddened by the death of Judge Horace Johnson. A highly-respected jurist, advocate for his community, terrific friend, husband and father, his passing leaves a large void in our community.
Johnson leaves a legacy that will be long-lasting in Newton County, maintaining justice from the bench, serving as a member of the Kiwanis Club and leading the county's mentorship program and veteran's accountability court with a full heart and so much more.
Beyond the community he was raised in, Johnson's service also extended throughout Georgia, including leading the Council of Superior Court Judges and Leadership Georgia.
The thoughts and prayers of Chairman Marcello Banes, the Newton County Board of Commissioners and all who work for the County are with Judge Johnson's family.
His legacy will endure in Newton County and throughout the entire state of Georgia.”
Information from the Atlanta Journal-Constitution was used in this report