Dale Johnson Receives
"Heart of Hospice" Award

Dale Johnson

November 19, 2008
This year’s recipient of the Heart of Hospice Award may very well be a modern day Johnny Appleseed. The American legend we know as Johnny Appleseed was a kind and generous man, a missionary, and a business leader. The legendary Johnny Appleseed planted nurseries of apple trees and left those nurseries in the care of a manager who sold trees on shares. Appleseed's managers were asked to sell trees on credit, if at all possible, but he would accept corn meal, cash or used clothing in barter. The notes did not specify an exact maturity date—that date might not be convenient—and if it did not get paid on time, or even get paid at all, Johnny Appleseed did not press for payment. Sound familiar? Dale “Johnny Appleseed” Johnson, is also a kind and generous man, a missionary, a business leader, and the overwhelming choice for the 2008 Heart of Hospice Award.

A pharmacist and owner of Boaz Discount Drugs, Johnson became involved with Hospice of Marshall County in 1999 as a member of the volunteer Board of Directors. Since that time, he has held numerous leadership positions on this Board including Vice President and serving as a member of the Personnel and Executive Committees.

Having served as long as the by-laws of the Board allow, he rotated off the board in 2008, but stayed involved as a volunteer pharmacist for Shepherd’s Cove, HMC’s hospice inpatient facility, recommending his daughter Anna, also a pharmacist, to serve on the Board of Directors. Even though his term on the Board is over, Johnson serves as a voluntary consultant in matters related to pharmaceutical and patient care issues. Johnson’s philosophy for his pharmacy business, “Never Closed to the Sick” extends to the patients of Hospice of Marshall County as well. If there is a need for medication after-hours or on the weekend, Johnson stands ready to do what he can to relieve the suffering of those living with a life limiting disease.

Giving comes second nature to Johnson. He not only gives of his time and talents to Hospice of Marshall County, but participates in many various activities of HMC including fundraising events, and activities to support and recognize the value of HMC’s volunteers. His generousity extends not only to HMC, but also to the entire community. Ever the modern day “Johnny”, Johnson loves to work in the apple orchard that he and his father planted on his farm, giving apples away to his customers and to the widows in the community. He really enjoys the cakes they give him in return! He freezes bushels of apples for his family and makes apple butter for his 7 grandchildren and even shares his homemade apple butter and homemade biscuits with HMC staff members. Not concerned with the old saying of “An Apple a Day Keeps the Doctor Away” Johnson has dedicated his life to the health and comfort of the community through his ministry as a pharmacist.

As “American as Apple Pie,” Johnson as an individual has most recently been honored with the Etowah County Education Association “Friend of Education” Award (his wife, Donna and daughter, Carrie Beth are both educators) and his business, Boaz Discount Drugs received the McKesson South Eastern Regional Pharmacy of the Year for 2008.

Johnson’s grandchildren are the “the apple of his eye.” He built a new barn so they could have a place to play basketball and skate in the winter. An on-the-go grandpa, he took them on a hayride and held a marshmallow roast for them at the barn this fall season. The youth of his church also gather there. An active member of Sardis Baptist Church, he is serving as a Deacon, Sunday School Teacher, Choir member and on various committees. Most of his vacations on spent on youth retreats, camps or training for teaching at church. As the legendary Johnny Appleseed of old was a missionary, Johnson also is a missionary, participating in mission trips to the Dominican Republic with his son, Dr. Evan Johnson.

Numerous individuals in the community have given of themselves unselfishly to Hospice of Marshall County, but when you “compare apples to apples”; Dale Johnson stands out among all the rest as having the true Heart of Hospice.

Johnson was named recipient of the Heart of Hospice Award at Hospice of Marshall County’s annual Heart of Hospice Luncheon. This award is given each year to an individual who shows consistent support for, and is an advocate of HMC, participates in many phases of HMC services, and is known for their selflessness and compassionate nature.

The Heart of Hospice luncheon is given each year to honor special individuals, organizations, and businesses that have been particularly supportive of HMC throughout the year. As a not-for-profit organization, HMC relies heavily on community support. During the season of Thanksgiving, and as a way to celebrate National Hospice Month, this event gives the entire staff an opportunity to provide a home-cooked meal as a way of saying “Thanks!”

Hospice of Marshall County is the area’s oldest, largest, non-profit, United Way –supported hospice agency. Serving Marshall and the surrounding counties, HMC’s freestanding hospice inpatient facility is the only such facility in North Alabama.

For more information on or to contribute to Hospice of Marshall County, call HMC at (256) 891-7724, or toll free 1-888-334-9336, or visit the web at www.hospicemc.org.