Robin Monroe Johnson, 61, passed away on June 18, 2025, in Columbia, S.C, after a long and spirited fight with cancer. Born in Marion County, S.C., Robin was the self-proclaimed brightest and best-looking fifth of eight children born to Frank Monroe Johnson, Jr., and Clara French Daniel, who preceded Robin in passing.
Eager to get off the tobacco farm, Robin gradually succumbed to the idea that doing well enough in high school to get into college was the most direct path. The Citadel, The Military College of S.C. and assistance from the U.S. Air Force offered such an opportunity. Robin graduated from The Citadel in 1986 with distinction. Upon graduation, he received a commission from the U.S. Air Force and was the number one graduate of the U.S. Air Force’s Intelligence School in 1987. He also earned an MBA degree from the University of LaVerne during this tour of duty. He was always proud of his contributions to winning the “Cold War” in the late 1980s. Robin was honorably discharged in 1990 to pursue a law degree,
Raised with an innate and forced ability to stretch limited funds, Robin entered the University of South Carolina’s School of Law due in large part to the G.I. Bill and his mother-in-law’s basement apartment. In 1993, Johnson graduated cum laude and accepted a position in New York with the international law firm Sullivan & Cromwell, where he specialized in securities, mergers, acquisitions, and commercial law.
Robin also practiced law with Willoughby & Hoefer, P.A. in Columbia, SC (1995-2000), served as the General Counsel and EVP of Business Development at NASCAR’s Roush Fenway Racing (2000-2011), Front Row Motorsports (2012-2014), and Richard Childress Racing (2015-2017). An experienced former plaintiff’s lawyer adept with combining a large dose of humor with a modicum of truth, Robin claimed to have introduced more new companies to Victory Lane than Dale Earnhardt and Jeff Gordan combined. Robin happily returned to his roots (in more ways than one) when he accepted a position as a Senior Attorney with AgFirst Farm Credit Bank in Columbia in 2019.
Robin is survived by his closest friend and wife of 37 years, Emily Linder Johnson, and their three children, Erin Suzanne Johnson and fiancé Andrew Moye, Lachlan Claire Johnson Werner, husband Ryan and son Roland Monroe, and James Thomas Johnson and wife Jessica.
Robin is also survived by his siblings Beverly Philips, Donna Williams (Don), Brian Johnson (Kathryn), Chris Johnson (Janice), and Maria Johnson. Robin is predeceased by his two older brothers Richard Johnson and Daniel Johnson.
Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Dunbar Funeral Home. The funeral service will be held on Thursday, June 26th, at 3:00 p.m. at Washington Street United Methodist Church located at 1401 Washington Street, Columbia, S.C. The service will also be livestreamed at https://www.youtube.com/@WashingtonStreetUMC/streams. Immediately thereafter, a visitation and a celebration of life with the family will be held at Market on Main Restaurant,1320 Main Street, Columbia, S.C.
Robin believed in the love of family and friends, living life to the fullest, and laughing heartily as often as possible. In lieu of flowers, he asks that you indulge in the same.