Roger S. Johnson

On August 17, 1927, Roger was born in southern Oregon, the youngest of 5 children, to Stanley and Emily Johnson. Because his dad worked for the US Indian Service, the family grew up on an Indian agency that served the Klamath and Modoc Indians. The township was only about 12 families (all but the trading post owners worked for the government) so the children were bussed to a school at a small town 3 miles away.

In these early years, pine forests, abundant wildlife, lakes, marshes, and fishing streams provided an interesting playground with unlimited activities to challenge a young boy’s interests.

When Roger was older, the family moved to Toppenish, Washington, where he attended the local high school and then Washington State University to earn a BS in mechanical engineering. He served in the Navy and was also an officer in the Coast Guard

Roger also worked at the Hanford Atomic Products Operations, on the Columbia River, as a Computer Procedure Analyst with General Electric. There in Richland, WA, his dancing skills landed him a date with a young teacher named Nancy. After two dates (in one week) they were engaged; little knowing their whirlwind engagement would become 64 faithful years of marriage.

In 1963, Roger and Nancy (now with two daughters) moved to South Daytona, Florida, where he worked on the GE Apollo Ground Systems Manager as a systems analyst and project leader. He was a member of General Electric’s Elfun Society. In 1974, he founded his own company and used his efficiency skills to run self-service carwashes and market equipment and supplies.

Family and friends say that Roger was an honorable man, gentle, soft spoken, kind, wise, forgiving and incredibly patient. He was naturally creative, detail-oriented, and loved having a system for everything. He was always inventing things or making them more productive.

He loved the adventures of the outdoors, loved cooking (Roger’s infamous pizza!) but most of all, he loved his family. He adored his bride of 64 years, took pride in his daughters, and found great joy watching his grandchildren play with toys and puzzles that he created for them.

Roger instilled the love of nature, lived the motto of respecting others and their opinions and was an example of the Golden Rule. He will be remembered for his gentleness, organization, love of God and we will never forget him saying, “If a job is worth doing, it’s worth doing well!”

He is survived by wife of 64 years, Nancy. Daughters: Linda Johnston, of Pasco, WA; Chris (Frank) Leese; Laura (Brad) Taylor. Grandchildren: Travis (Sarah) Taylor; Lisa Taylor; Emily (Matt) Knight; Joshua Jones; Michele Powell; Jeremy (Kristin) Mensinger; Franklin Leese III. Great Grandchildren: Allie, Maddie, Ari, Holt, Dylann, Christian, Samantha. Great Great Grandchildren: Harlee and Jaxon.

A memorial service for Roger will be held Friday, August 9, 2019, at 2:00 PM at Ormond Beach Presbyterian Church, 105 Amsden Rd, Ormond Beach, FL.

The family has asked that lieu of flowers a donation be made in Roger S. Johnson's name to the Hospice agency of your choice or to the Fish and Wildlife Foundation of Florida.