Part 2: Rev. Leroy Johnson took on the KKK and helped Ocala rise above hate

Armed with courage, a revolver, and a heart for his community, this fearless pastor and businessman protected Ocala from violence and built lasting opportunities for generations to come.

OCALA, FL (352today.com) – This article is the second in a two-part series exploring the life and legacy of Rev. Leroy Johnson, a trailblazing pastor, entrepreneur, and former law enforcement officer who fought racism head-on in Ocala. Part one was published Thursday, July 3.

An encounter with a white supremacist group in 1974 would leave an indelible mark on the community, but it was the courage and bravery of one man that saved the city from what could’ve been a real tragedy.

Rev. Leroy Johnson weathered the storm, facing the challenges that were part of the everyday racism that he was subjected to, and eventually found himself a target of the Ku Klux Klan.

“The KKK came up and there were three trucks, and I had got the police report from the police department from 1974, when it was filed, that the KKK came up there with Molotov cocktail bottles to blow up the gas pumps,” said Larry Johnson, Rev. Johnson’s youngest son.

However, there was a propitious set of circumstances. The KKK wasn’t aware that the gas pump lines ran from the gas station under the Black community on 200.

“If they would’ve blown up the gas station, they would’ve blown up the houses behind it, all the way to 200,” said Johnson.

Ocala Mayor Ben Marciano stands with Darnitha and Larry Johnson holding a certificate at a city council meeting. — *Ocala Mayor Ben Marciano, Darnitha Johnson, and Larry Johnson at the Ocala City Council meeting where Larry Johnson received the key to the city on June 17, 2025. Courtesy: City of Ocala*

Rev. Johnson’s previous career in law enforcement gave him invaluable insight, and he still had something in his possession from his time with the Marion County Sheriff’s Office – a revolver—which he used to defend the community.

“They all said, ‘this man is crazy, let’s go,’” said Johnson. “They never had a chance to light their Molotov cocktail bottles and throw them at the gas station.”

But racism wasn’t new to Johnson. While serving as a deputy, his own co-workers targeted him.

“The reason that he quit being a sheriff’s deputy was because they kept flattening his tires and breaking his windows, so he was late for his position to get on his patrol spot,” said Johnson. “He would never take the car home. He would drive his personal car to the department, but when he would get there, his car would be vandalized.”

Rev. Johnson became the pastor of New Zion AME Church in 1972 and served there until 1985, later moving to a church in Gainesville, where he remained until his death in 1999.

On June 17, 2025, the City of Ocala posthumously honored Rev. Johnson with the key to the city. Mayor Ben Marciano presented the award to Johnson, recognizing his father’s legacy of courage, community service, and his pivotal role in creating economic opportunity and racial equity in Ocala.

“I have receipts from the gas station, from where people would be hard on their luck and stuff like that… even in the 70s and early 80s it was difficult for Black people to get loans,” said Larry Johnson. “He would use the gas station as collateral… and make the person sign a contract to pay him back.”