October
20,
1920
20,
1920
July
25,
2016
25,
2016
Raymond A. Johnson
PORT ALLEGANY- Raymond A. Johnson, 95, a longtime resident, passed away Monday (July 25, 2016) in Meadville Medical Center, Meadville, PA.
Born October 20, 1920, at Coleman Mills, Port Allegany, he was a son of Ernest A. and Martha E. McKay Johnson. On Feb. 10, 1946, in Port Allegany, he married Laura E. Nelson, who survives. They were married 70 years.
Growing up on a dairy farm, Ray helped his father with the milk delivery and began mowing the fields at the age of nine.
Raymond graduated from Port Allegany High School, class of 1939, and attended Penn State University for two years, and then enlisted in the Army Air Corps in 1941. After graduating from the Casey Jones School of Aeronautics, he served in the European Theater as an airplane mechanic and hydraulic specialist.
While overseas, he began a correspondence with Laura Nelson. Upon his return in 1945, they had a whirlwind courtship and were married on Feb. 10, 1946, in a double wedding with Wynona Nelson and Emory Johnson. Raymond and Laura purchased a farm, Lone Elm Acres, in Port Allegany, and resided there for 60+ years. In the early years, Raymond raised chickens and sold eggs to the local markets; later on, he raised Angus beef cattle. Ray was employed with Pittsburgh Corning in the Research and Process Development Lab and retired in 1980 after 35 years of service.
Raymond and Laura attended the Sartwell Creek Union Church, Burtville.
Raymond enjoyed woodworking and creating unique frames for his wife’s cross stitching from wood harvested on his land. His interests included bowling, hiking, fishing, and hunting. He and Laura were fans of PAHS football teams and rarely missed a game. He looked forward to their annual Canadian vacation at Clear Lake Camp in Ontario. The couple participated in many snowmobile adventures with fellow club members in and around Piseco Lake Lodge in New York.
Surviving in addition to his wife, Laura, is a daughter, Dee A. Turberville of Montgomery, AL; three sons, Craig L. (Kathy) Johnson of Destin, FL, Kirk R. (Sandy) Johnson of Edinboro, PA, and Ty L. (Myriah) Johnson of Afton, VA; five grandchildren: Wynn D. Allen, Jamie Gracz, Andew Johnson, Ciara Imbert and Griffin Johnson; a stepgrandson, Seth Oster; and five great-grandcildren, Paige and Madeleine Gracz, Harrison Allen, Ashley and Ryan Imbert; and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, a grandson, Neil Johnson; five sisters, Helen Sloper, Gladys Rose, Vivian and Jessie Johnson, Betty Royal; and three brothers, Meryl, Richard, and Howard Johnson.
A private graveside service will be conducted by Rev. LaVerne Howard, pastor of the Sartwell Creek Union Church, officiating. Burial will be in Fairview Cemetery, Port Allegany.
Memorials can be made to: Wesbury Foundation’s Benevolent Care Fund, 31 N. Park Ave., Meadville, PA 16335.
Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the Switzer Funeral Home, Port Allegany.
Condolences can be made to: Kirk R. Johnson
3100 Route 6N
Edinboro, PA 16214
PORT ALLEGANY- Raymond A. Johnson, 95, a longtime resident, passed away Monday (July 25, 2016) in Meadville Medical Center, Meadville, PA.
Born October 20, 1920, at Coleman Mills, Port Allegany, he was a son of Ernest A. and Martha E. McKay Johnson. On Feb. 10, 1946, in Port Allegany, he married Laura E. Nelson, who survives. They were married 70 years.
Growing up on a dairy farm, Ray helped his father with the milk delivery and began mowing the fields at the age of nine.
Raymond graduated from Port Allegany High School, class of 1939, and attended Penn State University for two years, and then enlisted in the Army Air Corps in 1941. After graduating from the Casey Jones School of Aeronautics, he served in the European Theater as an airplane mechanic and hydraulic specialist.
While overseas, he began a correspondence with Laura Nelson. Upon his return in 1945, they had a whirlwind courtship and were married on Feb. 10, 1946, in a double wedding with Wynona Nelson and Emory Johnson. Raymond and Laura purchased a farm, Lone Elm Acres, in Port Allegany, and resided there for 60+ years. In the early years, Raymond raised chickens and sold eggs to the local markets; later on, he raised Angus beef cattle. Ray was employed with Pittsburgh Corning in the Research and Process Development Lab and retired in 1980 after 35 years of service.
Raymond and Laura attended the Sartwell Creek Union Church, Burtville.
Raymond enjoyed woodworking and creating unique frames for his wife’s cross stitching from wood harvested on his land. His interests included bowling, hiking, fishing, and hunting. He and Laura were fans of PAHS football teams and rarely missed a game. He looked forward to their annual Canadian vacation at Clear Lake Camp in Ontario. The couple participated in many snowmobile adventures with fellow club members in and around Piseco Lake Lodge in New York.
Surviving in addition to his wife, Laura, is a daughter, Dee A. Turberville of Montgomery, AL; three sons, Craig L. (Kathy) Johnson of Destin, FL, Kirk R. (Sandy) Johnson of Edinboro, PA, and Ty L. (Myriah) Johnson of Afton, VA; five grandchildren: Wynn D. Allen, Jamie Gracz, Andew Johnson, Ciara Imbert and Griffin Johnson; a stepgrandson, Seth Oster; and five great-grandcildren, Paige and Madeleine Gracz, Harrison Allen, Ashley and Ryan Imbert; and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, a grandson, Neil Johnson; five sisters, Helen Sloper, Gladys Rose, Vivian and Jessie Johnson, Betty Royal; and three brothers, Meryl, Richard, and Howard Johnson.
A private graveside service will be conducted by Rev. LaVerne Howard, pastor of the Sartwell Creek Union Church, officiating. Burial will be in Fairview Cemetery, Port Allegany.
Memorials can be made to: Wesbury Foundation’s Benevolent Care Fund, 31 N. Park Ave., Meadville, PA 16335.
Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the Switzer Funeral Home, Port Allegany.
Condolences can be made to: Kirk R. Johnson
3100 Route 6N
Edinboro, PA 16214
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