House of Raeford Farms founder Marvin Johnson dies

Marvin Johnson, founder of House of Raeford Farms died peacefully in his sleep on August 17. He was 89.

House of Raeford Farms founder and former CEO Marvin Johnson has died at the age of 89. | House of Raeford Farms
House of Raeford Farms founder and former CEO Marvin Johnson has died at the age of 89. | House of Raeford Farms

Marvin Johnson, founder of House of Raeford Farms died peacefully in his sleep on August 17. He was 89.

Johnson, who was also the company’s chairman of the board emeritus and former CEO, 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 him 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, 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. 

The birth of House of Raeford Farms

In just 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. Johnson even helped pave 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 Johnson an active leader in poultry industry

Johnson 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. 

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