Edgar Marvin Johnson, Sr., House of Raeford Chairman of the Board Emeritus, former CEO, and founder, died on Wednesday. He passed away at home at the age of 89.
Johnson was a poultry industry pioneer who got his start on the streets of downtown Rose Hill, North Carolina, selling live turkeys grown in his own backyard. This venture led Marvin and his brother, Bizzell, to the local Sears where they purchased their first incubator and a few turkey eggs.
After serving overseas during World War II as a Merchant Marine from 1944-46, Johnson returned to Rose Hill to join his father and brother in building the town’s first feed mill in 1955. The feed mill led the Johnson family to expand their business, adding a chicken hatchery, and obtaining ownership interest in Rose Hill Poultry and Raeford Turkey Farms in Raeford, North Carolina.
In a few short years, the family became the sole owners of Rose Hill Poultry, Raeford Turkey Farms became House of Raeford, and the two were joined together as House of Raeford Farms, Inc. under the leadership of the Johnson family. Marvin paved the way for turkey to become a marketable product throughout the year rather than just during the holidays. House of Raeford was the first to process turkeys year-round, and invented the retail deli turkey breast and whole cooked turkey, among many other products.
Under his leadership, House of Raeford Farms grew from a modest family farm into a world-class, family-owned enterprise, rooted in deep family values. Today, the company is among the top 10 chicken producers in the country, and one of the largest family-owned businesses in North Carolina. House of Raeford currently has operations in Georgia, Louisiana, North Carolina and South Carolina, employing more than 5,500.
Marvin served as president of the National Turkey Federation, North Carolina Poultry Federation, and the U.S. Poultry & Egg Association, and was inducted into the North Carolina Poultry Hall of Fame in 1996. He was named Chairman of the Board Emeritus in 2010 as he moved away from day-to-day operations with his son, Bob, at the helm.
He is preceded in death by his wife, Grace Powell Johnson. He is survived by his two sisters, his three children, 13 grandchildren, and 14 grandchildren.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in Johnson’s memory to Rose Hill United Methodist Church, 314 East Church Street, PO Box 177 Rose Hill, NC 28458 or House of Raeford Farms Non-profit FLOCK, PO Box 699, Rose Hill, NC 28458.
