Ralph T. Johnson

Ralph T. Johnson of La Grange was born July 24, 1938 in Glassboro, NJ. He quietly passed away at home on Aug. 28 with his devoted wife of 58  years and loving daughter Bunny by his side. His thirty five years of employment with the Fluor Corporation took him and his family to the far corners of the earth. Our fabulous journey began in the summer of 1969 when  our family moved to Columbia, South America. Our adventure continued when we moved to Brazil and Aruba. Always an avid hunter, Ralph realized his life long dream when we lived in South  Africa by hunting big game with both camera and gun. Swaziland was wonderful, and Rhodesia with the magnificent Victoria Falls was beautiful beyond words. The falls can be heard 40 miles away. We continued our life’s journey to Ceylon, Hong Kong, China, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Korea, Japan, Indonesia, Taiwan, Okinawa and Hawaii. We trekked the foothills of the Himalayas and watched the morning sun burst upon Mt. Everest. Our trip to Russia was a dream come true. The eight years we lived in Saudi Arabia and Abu Dhabi gave us a true understanding of its customs and culture. He remained a Mason his entire life, forever keeping his blue lodge in Saudi Arabia. It was his fervent wish that it would never go dark. Rome became home to our daughter Bunny and son Skeeter during their high school years. Skeeter at Notre Dame Intl and Bunny at Marymount. While there we visited Switzerland and England. A picture of our son Skeeter shaking the hand of Pope John II, who is now a saint, is a treasured memento. Ralph’s love of all things western prompted him to buy his small ranch in Fayette County. He enjoyed reliving history in Tombstone, Ariz. He made sure that all of us saw most of the United States. It was a great life. He was predeceased by his son Karl (Skeeter) Johnson and sister Linda Johnson Huver. He is survived by his wife, Betty Kohn Johnson, daughter Elizabeth (Bunny) Johnson Miller of Fairfax, Va., brother Jack Johnson of Myrtle Beach, S.C. and son Erik Johnson of St. Petersburg, Fla., eight grandchildren and five greatgrandchildren. We ask God’s blessing for Dr. Borgstedte, a wonderful doctor, to Jo Ann and Tanesha from Hospice Brazos Valley in La Grange for the excellent care and love they gave Mr. Johnson during his illness and passing. John and Larry from Fayette Memorial were gentle, kind and gracious. His travels may have ended, but the memories of a life time remain. Services will be private. Fayette Memorial Funeral Home in La Grange is in charge of arrangements