Ralph Leonard Johnson Jr

Our beloved, Ralph Leonard Johnson Jr., Oklahoma City, went to be with his Lord and Savior on November 21, 2021. Ralph was born in LeRoy, Kansas January 7, 1944, the eldest child of Ralph and Genevie Brady Johnson. He graduated from Burlington Kansas High School in 1962 and Baker University in 1966.

He earned his Master’s Degree at Webster University. In 1966, Ralph enlisted in the US Army and was selected for Officer Candidate School. He married Eleanore Higgins of Blackwell, OK in 1968, ten weeks before heading to Vietnam.

He retired with the rank of Major after twenty-one years. He was awarded the Bronze Star with Oak Leaf Cluster, the Defense Meritorious Service Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal with two Silver Stars, Army Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal, Parachutist Badge, the Republic of Vietnam Cross of Gallantry Unit Citation with Palm, two Overseas Service Bars, the Aircraft Crewman Badge, and the Overseas Service Ribbon.

After military retirement, Ralph served as the Oklahoma State Adjunct for the Disabled American Veterans, then with the Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality until his retirement in 2010. Ralph came to know the Lord as a teenager at Burlington First Methodist Church and was active in military chapels during his time in the service. Most recently, he was a member of Fresh Start Community Church, Moore, OK. Ralph’s greatest pleasure in life was spending time with is family. He is survived by his wife, Eleanore, a son, Joseph Ralph Jack Johnson, a daughter, Gwendolyn Hope Addington (Jimmie) and two grandchildren, Jaidyn and Mason Holtzclaw.

Also four sisters, Mary Ann (Ralph) Shults of Humboldt, KS, Alma Johnson of Wichita, KS, Twilah Conard, Lila (Wayne) Cook and brother, Lyle Johnson, all of Dodge City, KS. Ralph was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers, Davis, and William.

The family wished to thank the nurses and all the staff of the Norman, OK Veterans’ Center for giving Ralph such excellent and loving care during his final years. Services were held at IOOF Cemetery, Norman, OK, on Wednesday, November 24 at 2:00pm, under the direction and care of John M. Ireland & Son Funeral Home & Chapel in Moore, Oklahoma.