Partners from day one
Dr. J and Lisa, side by side on a mission trip.
Dr. Johnson's Story
If you knew my dad
Many people knew Dr. Kerry Johnson as a chiropractor. Those closest to him knew him as much more: a husband, father, friend, mentor and man of faith who believed caring for others reached far beyond the walls of the clinic.
If you knew my dad, you knew he never did anything small. Everything was all-in. If he believed in something or someone, he put his whole heart behind it.
He had great faith and a deep belief that no problem was too big when people came together to solve it. He lived out generosity, perseverance and faith in God above all things. Whenever someone brought him a problem, he'd say, “We'll figure this out. It's going to be okay.” And somehow, it always was.
Generosity was part of this company from the very beginning. Whenever there was a need, in our own community or across the world, my dad found a way to help, and he loved inviting our community to be part of it.
All in, as always
Dr. J never watched from the sidelines. He rolled up his sleeves and helped build.
Healing beyond the clinic
Dr. J caring for people on the mission field in Uganda, wherever he could set up his table.
In July 2007, my parents traveled to Uganda on a mission trip with Hope 4 Kids. They spent their first day helping a widow and her seven children rebuild their mud home. On the last day, my dad asked the team leader what the biggest need was. With tears, he explained that more than 200 sponsored children had lost their parents and were living in desperate situations. The vision was to build homes at their school, each costing $25,000 and housing 25 children.
In my dad's own words:
“I bet if I made this need known to everyone I know, we could raise $100,000 and build four of them. The moment the words came out of my mouth, something rose up inside of me with the voice that said, ‘Then do it!’ When I told Lisa about it she replied, ‘I think you better do it then!’”
So he did. He shared the need with family, friends, our church, colleagues and the patients of Johnson Spinal Care. Eight months later, they had raised the full $100,000. He called it the easiest initiative he ever accomplished, and his first lesson in hearing God's voice and responding, rather than striving in his own effort.
On that same trip, the hospital staff asked him to show them what a chiropractor does. After he demonstrated with one young man, the administrator told him, “You be here at 8am tomorrow.” The next morning, 40 people were waiting for him. For my dad, healing never stopped at the clinic doors.
Years later, he raised and donated over $125,000 for a well-drilling rig for a ministry in Zambia and South Africa. In his words: “Why buy one well when you could buy the whole rig to drill as many wells as you can?!”
2007 · Uganda
Homes for orphaned children
Built with $100,000 raised by family, friends, church and Johnson Spinal Care patients.
Years later · Zambia
A whole well-drilling rig
“Why buy one well when you could buy the whole rig to drill as many wells as you can?!”
He never took credit for any of it. He was simply everyone's biggest fan, and he loved being part of seeing people and their dreams succeed.
“He cared deeply about people. Not just their health, but their lives, their families and their futures.”
As we celebrate 40 years of Johnson Spinal Care, we're not just remembering what he built. We're remembering the heart behind it.
Beth Norris, Dr. Johnson's daughter, on behalf of the Johnson family
