Pray for the Repose of the Soul of Father Kevin Johnson

After battling a lengthy illness, Father Kevin Johnson, pastor of St. Rita Parish in Santa Rosa Beach, has passed away peacefully, this morning around 2:45 a.m., surrounded by his family.

The Visitation will be held Tuesday, January 16, beginning at 10:00 a.m. at St. Rita Catholic Church in Santa Rosa Beach, 20 St. Rita Lane and the Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 12 Noon.  Most Reverend Martin D. Holley DD, Bishop of Memphis, will be the main celebrant. Bishop Holley studied for the priesthood with Father Kevin and was ordained a priest with him in 1987. 
 
Father Kevin was born in Fort Walton Beach, FL in 1958, and received his B.A. in Philosophy from Cardinal Glennon College, St. Louis, MO, in 1982, and his M. Div. from St. Vincent de Paul, Miami, in 1987. Father Kevin was ordained a priest by Bishop J. Keith Symons at Sacred Heart Cathedral, Pensacola in 1987. From 1987 to 2000 he served as parochial vicar in various parishes of the Diocese, including the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart, Nativity of Our Lord, Blessed Sacrament and St. Mary, Fort Walton Beach. He also served as administrator and pastor of St. Louis Catholic Church in Tallahassee from 2000 to 2012. He was assigned as pastor to St. Rita, Santa Rosa Beach, and Christ the King Mission, Freeport, July 16, 2012.