DECATUR - The Rev. Oliver Johnson, founder and pastor of Greater Mount Olive Baptist Church and respected community leader, died Friday. He was 77.

Johnson was a former president of Decatur's Christian Ministerial Alliance, heavily involved in state and national Baptist organizations and a tireless worker behind the scenes on efforts to address problems in education, poverty and race.

"He was a great mentor for young men, young ministers, just young people," said the Rev. Thomas Walker, pastor at Main Street Church of the Living God. "He supported them in every way. He played a great role in almost every minister's life here in Decatur."

Walker is no exception. He received his first chance to preach from Johnson's pulpit shortly after Johnson had left a job at Caterpillar Inc. to begin his ministry.

The Rev. J.C. Rice, pastor at Mount Calvary Missionary Baptist Church, said Johnson was like a father to him. Rice said Johnson was the first minister to welcome him when he came to Decatur from Indianapolis and became his mentor.

"I really think that he touched the lives of everybody in the city," Rice said.

Walker said Johnson had a knack for bringing people together and was respected as a quiet leader and reliable source of wisdom, whose advice was almost always sought on community issues.

"Nobody would really move without getting direction from him." Walker said. "It was like getting direction from heaven."

Members of his congregation said they couldn't imagine what the church will be like without him.

"We're going to miss him a lot," said Jenette Johnson, who is not related to the reverend but grew up best friends with one of his daughters. "I don't think there'll ever be another Rev. Oliver Johnson."

Jenette Johnson said the minister had been a part of many milestones in her life during her 38 years in his church, including presiding over her wedding ceremony and her husband's funeral five years ago.

"He was a traditional minister, strictly by the Bible, a great teacher, just a great person," she said.

Walker, whose Walker Funeral Service and Chapel is handling arrangements, said plans for memorial services were still being finalized.

Mary Tallon can be reached at mtallon@;herald-review.com or 421-7984.