H.F. Johnson Jr., former superintendent of Hall County schools, died Thursday. He was 71.

Johnson came to Hall County in 1989 from a post with the state education department. He served as superintendent in Hall County from 1989 to 1996.

"He came with a lot of knowledge that only someone inside at the state department would have had," said David Massey, who served under Johnson as assistant superintendent. "And one of the really big contributions he made in Hall County was in the area of facilities."

According to Massey, Johnson's expertise in the area allowed the system to secure funds to build schools. Friendship, Mount Vernon and Spout Springs elementary schools and West Hall Middle School all built were in the early 1990s during Johnson's tenure.

"He was able to assist in getting funds to build schools, and then he and the board became heavily involved in this whole idea of the 1-cent special purpose local option sales tax to support buildings for school systems," Massey said.

Massey remembered Johnson as a leader, but also as a friend.

"He was a great fellow to work with," Massey said "He was (a) very intelligent, very caring person, and I just enjoyed my years with him."

Johnson is survived by his wife, Lawanna Johnson, two daughters, one son and nine grandchildren.

A funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. today at the First Baptist Church of Baxley.