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Ralph Johnson
RALPH JOHNSON
IOWA CITY
Ralph Ward Johnson, 97, passed peacefully into the loving arms of his Lord and Savior on Nov. 4, 2014, after a long illness at Oaknoll Retirement Residence in Iowa City, Iowa. Celebration of Life services will be at 3 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 30, 2014, at St. Andrew Presbyterian Church in Iowa City. The family will greet friends following the service.
Ralph was born Dec. 1, 1916, in Altoona, Pa., the son of George Curtis and Jessie Mae (Moore) Johnson. He graduated from Altoona High School. Ralph married Virginia Louise Rouzer on May 10, 1941. He served in the U.S. Army as a medical corpsman in the World War II Pacific theater and returned to Williamsburg, Pa., to work at Penelec as a maintenance supervisor until his retirement on Jan. 1, 1979.
He was a Boy Scout scoutmaster encouraging local youth for many years and was an elder in the First Presbyterian Church in Williamsburg. He and Virginia enjoyed gardening and camping and, following retirement, traveled in their RV before moving to Mesa, Ariz. Virginia passed away on Nov. 6, 1992. He married Lois DeSart Lampkins on June 15, 1996, and they relocated to Iowa City to be closer to family in 2004 and joined the Oaknoll community. Lois passed away on May 4, 2009. He joined St. Andrew Presbyterian Church on his move to Iowa City.
Ralph's greatest joy in life was his grandchildren and especially his five great-grandchildren. He was loved by many and lovingly called Pappy by those who knew him.
He is survived by two sons, Dr. Alan Kim Johnson (Marlene) of Iowa City and Dr. J. Kent Johnson (Dr. Cheryl) of North Liberty; four grandchildren, Dr. Melanie (Ron) Stahlberg of Swisher, Amy Kish of Highlands Ranch, Colo., Andrew (Christy) Johnson of Lebanon, Ohio, and Allyson (Austin) Hilmer of Des Moines; and five great-grandchildren, Emma, Katie, Aaron, Jessie and Eastleigh.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his wives; and siblings, Laura Iler and Harold Johnson.
His family wishes to thank the staff at Oaknoll Health Center for their loving care.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be directed to St. Andrew Presbyterian Church Youth Ministries, Oaknoll Foundation for staff scholarships or the University of Iowa Foundation – Francois M. Abboud Cardiovascular Center.
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