Ray Herman Johnson

Ray Herman Johnson was born November 11, 1930 to the late Reverend Arthur and Odelia Johnson in Canton, Ohio, the first of eight children. He enjoyed life as a beloved son, grandson, sibling, nephew, cousin, friend and as a father, grandfather and great grandfather. He excelled in school and athletics throughout his younger years. Family and faith were his top priorities from the time he was a young child, evidenced by his consistent offers to assist his mother, father and aunts with their daily chores. Young Ray accepted Christ as his Lord and Savior and lived the Biblical tenets with love, grace and unmitigated dedication throughout his life. His enthusiasm around building his relationship with God and sharing his knowledge and faith with others was evident to all who new him as they watched him grow as a faithful participant in Children’s Sunday School classes and the Youth Choir, evolving to membership in Adult Choir, Sunday School teacher, Bible Study leadership and Board membership... commitments he maintained throughout his life until debilitating health issues robbed him of his ability to fully participate.

Ray attended school in his hometown all twelve years, graduating from Timken High in June 1948. Eager to fulfill his aspirations of serving in the military, Ray immediately visited a Recruitment Center intending to enlist in the Air Force, however, due to his age at that time (17), he was denied the opportunity to join and encouraged to return when he turned 18. Not one to sit around, he spent his days assisting his father with his independent truck-hauling business and also secured part-time employment at a neighborhood dry cleaning business for the five months leading up to his eighteenth birthday, when he successfully completed the application process and passed his physical examination. Having met his enlistment goal, he departed for Boot Camp in December 1948 and spent the next 27 years serving our country, specializing in Electronics, while supporting the NASA Space Program.

In 1951, while stationed in Rome New York, Ray found the love of his life, Dorothy Searcy, whom he courted and then married in 1952. Their first child, Deborah, was born the following year and they went on to welcome four more children.... Ray, Bryan, Craig and Anita in subsequent years while traversing the globe due to his various military re-assignments. (His children assumed that this was normal... that EVERYONE moved to new homes and enrolled in new schools around the world every two to three years.)

Outside of work, Ray enjoyed a variety of indoor and outdoor activities, some solo, but most with family. He was an avid bowler and softball player... activities enjoyed by his biggest fans — his children. He also loved fishing, a sport that MOST of his children enjoyed with him, badminton, horse-shoes and playing cards with his wife and friends. Competitive boxing was an all-time favorite of his, although he competed in that sport without family members in attendance. In later years, roles were reversed and Ray delighted in watching his children and grandchildren participate and compete in athletic events, musicals and theater. His legacy as a beloved patriarch of home family and church family will live on into perpetuity. His love, faith, kindness, generosity, leadership, acceptance, guidance, patience and forgiveness will live on in the hearts of those who knew him and serve as a guiding light for many years to come.

Preceding Ray in death were his parents, six siblings: Charles, John, Henry, Odessa, Margaret and Ronald; his wife, Dorothy; and son, Ray. Left to cherish his memory are his sister Marie Justice; children Deborah, Bryan (Donna); Craig (Darlene); and Anita and a host of grandchildren, great-grandchildren, beloved nieces, nephews, cousins, church-family members and friends.

A visitation for Ray will be held Wednesday, October 16, 2024 from 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM at Olinger Hampden Mortuary & Cemetery, 8600 East Hampden Ave, Denver, CO 80231.

A funeral service will occur Wednesday, October 16, 2024 from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM, 8600 East Hampden Ave, Denver, CO 80231.

A committal service will occur Wednesday, October 16, 2024 from 1:00 PM to 1:30 PM at Olinger Eastlawn Cemetery, 19600 E Smith Rd, Aurora, CO 80011.