Ray L. Johnson Obituary (1933

OWLS HEAD - Ray Leroy Johnson, 73, died following a long illness, Thursday, November 23, 2006, at Penobscot Bay Medical Center in Rockport.Born May 11, 1933 in Rockland to Hans and Helen Wadsworth Johnson, he was one of eleven children. Mr. Johnson attended local schools. As a young man he was employed with the North Lubec Canning Company in Rockland. Drafted into the U.S. Army in 1953, Mr. Johnson made a career of 27 years, attaining the rank of Command Sergeant Major, the highest rank possible for a non-commissioned officer. On November 12, 1955, Ray married Marion A. Rogers in Rockland. The couple moved to Ft. Devons, Massachusetts where Ray was first stationed. Over his long military career, Ray and his family resided in several places including Germany, Kansas, Colorado, and North Dakota. It was in North Dakota that Ray served as an R.O.T.C. Instructor for the University of North Dakota. Mr. Johnson's distinguished career began with service in Korea and included two tours of duty in Vietnam where he earned two Purple Hearts and two Bronze Star Medals. He was also the recipient of other honors including the Meritorious Service Medal and the Legion of Merit. After retiring in 1980, Mr. Johnson remained involved with the veterans and other local organizations. He was a member of the Rockland American Legion, Post No. 1, the Rockland V.F.W., Past President of Mid-Coast Shrine Club, Past Master of Rockland Lodge of Masons, held an affiliation with the South Thomaston Lodge of Masons, and was a long time member of the Rockland Lodge of Elks. He also continued to be employed, working as a sternman for several local lobstermen, including his brother-in-law Leroy Rogers. A man of many talents, Mr. Johnson enjoyed hunting, fly fishing and fly tying, as well as woodworking. Together with his nephew he had two wood shops in which he made furniture and other fine works. His family remembers him as a collector, keeping collections of baseball cards, coins and collectable model cars. They said of him he loved to go "cruising," stopping to see old friends and making new ones along the way. He also enjoyed shopping and taking trips to Florida. Mr. Johnson was predeceased by two brothers, Alton Johnson and Robert "Hank" Johnson as well as three sisters, Agnes Gamage, Arlene Winslow and Thelma Williams. He is survived by his wife Marion Johnson of Owls Head; one son Jeffrey Johnson of Bangor; four daughters, Kathy Maynard of Owls Head, Cindy Merrifield and her husband Mike of Rockport, Linda Larson and her husband Mark of Miltona, Minnesota, Teresa Johnson and her fiancA(c) Sam Hanes of Highland Park, New Jersey; one brother Arthur Johnson and his wife Marion of Rockland; three sisters, Judith Harvey and her husband Donald of Rockland, Rosie Thomas of Thomaston, Sharon Wright of Waldoboro; one nephew with whom he was particularly close, Alton Johnson of Warren; seven grandchildren and their spouses, Eric Maynard and his wife Jennifer of Rockland, Jessie Johnson and his fiancA(c) Denise Jordan of Rockport, Christopher Larson of Miltona, Minnesota, Rachel Maynard of Thomaston, James Lindsey of Rockland, Nicole Larson of Miltona, Minnesota, Michele Johnson of Brewer; five great-grandchildren, Kaytlin Maynard of Rockland, Korinn Wellman of Thomaston, Brady Maynard of Rockland, Tristen Peaslee of Thomaston, Aiden Lindsey of Rockland, as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends across the country. Family and friends are invited to visit from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m., Monday, November 27, 2006 at Burpee, Carpenter & Hutchins Funeral Home, 110 Limerock Street, Rockland, where a celebration of his life will be held at 1:00 p.m., Tuesday, November 28, 2006. Interment with full military honors will follow at Achorn Cemetery, Old County Road, Rockland. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Mid-coast Shrine Club, P.O. Box 8566, Rockland, Maine 04841. Please take a moment to visit Ray's Personal Online Guest Book2b:[