George Johnson

GEORGE JOHNSON

Cedar Rapids

George P. Johnson, 80, of Cedar Rapids, died Tuesday, June 2, 2015, at the Dennis and Donna Oldorf Hospice House of Mercy, Hiawatha. Services: 10 a.m. Monday, June 8, at Murdoch-Linwood Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Cedar Rapids, by Certified Celebrant Diane Thorson. The family will greet friends from 4 to 6 p.m. Sunday, June 7, at the funeral home, where a Masonic service will be at 6 p.m. Burial: Czech National Cemetery, Cedar Rapids.

Survivors include his daughters, Terri (Brian) McGraw of Muscoda, Wis., and LeaAnn (Doug) Ross of Mount Horeb, Wis.; two grandchildren, Madison Ross and Carlyn Ross of Mount Horeb; very special friend, Marlene Horton of Cedar Rapids, who was his travel companion, partner and enjoyed lots of laughter, and her children, Jay and DeeAnn, and their families; brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Robert and Mildred Mitchell of Cedar Rapids; and his nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, George and Jessie Cambridge; stepfather, Perel A. "Porky" Cambridge, who very lovingly raised him like his own; and his wife of 50-plus years, Shirley.

George was born June 8, 1934, the son of George and Jessie (Bixby) Johnson, in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. His father was killed when he was 3 months old. George served his country during the Korean conflict with the United States Army. On Oct. 26, 1957, George was united in marriage to Shirley May Mrkvicka in Cedar Rapids. She died in 2008.

George was a carpenter and member of Local 308. He worked for Rinderknecht for 30 years, the last 20 years as a superintendent. George then worked at Unzeitig for eight years until his retirement due to health reasons.

He was a member of Elks Lodge 251, VFW Post 788, Fidelitas Lodge 364 in Fairfax, Unity Lodge 9166 E.C., Anguilla, British West Indies, Cedar Rapids Scottish Rite Bodies, Cedar Rapids York Rite Bodies, El Kahir Shrine, El Kahir Jolly Jokers (serving two times as president), Hospital Dads (past president) Past Masters Unit, making many trips to Chicago and Minneapolis taking children to the Shrine Hospitals; past master of Mount Hermon Lodge 263 and a 33rd Degree Mason.

George loved golfing, gardening, traveling with his wife and family, and spending time with his wife in Anguilla on the beach, where they made many friends, both from around the world and local residents.

The family would like to thank Mercy ICU and Hospice of Mercy and a special thanks to Trent and Jeff for the care given to George.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Shriners Hospital or the Oldorf Hospice House of Mercy in memory of George.

Please share a memory of George at www.murdoch funeralhome.com under obituaries.