Paul R. Johnson

Paul R. Johnson, 80, of Bella Vista, Ark., passed away early Sunday morning, Feb. 3, 2013. He was born Dec. 17, 1932, in Sterling, Ill., the son of Herbert and Jessie Johnson. Paul Johnson was a Navy veteran, serving his country as a radioman on a Martin P-5 Marlin Flying Boat. Upon leaving the Navy, he farmed with his father-in-law and brother-in-law in northern Illinois. He soon followed in his father's career path and went to work for the John Deere Company of Moline, Ill. Paul was a traveling territory manager for many years, working with John Deere dealers in Colorado, Oklahoma and Kansas. He finished his career working from the John Deere Parts Distribution Warehouse in Kansas City, Mo., and retired in 1980 when his longtime photography hobby turned into an "encore career." Paul and wife, Gloria, started Johnson Photography while living in Olathe, Kan. Paul photographed many weddings, family gatherings and Little League teams. The photography business continued to grow after Paul and Gloria moved to Bella Vista, Ark., in 1987. Even as Paul was losing use of his legs, he continued his photography with Gloria's help and retired from taking pictures in 2006. Paul and his family were members of the First United Methodist Church in each of the communities they lived in. Paul was a Cubmaster in Emporia, Kan., and later served as Scoutmaster and assistant Scoutmaster of Troop 86 in Olathe, Kan., where he enjoyed scouting with sons, Brent and Brad. The Johnson family have many great memories of camping around the country as well as spending many a Labor Day weekend together at Camp Chippewa in Ottawa, Kan. In addition to photography, Paul was an adept do-it-yourselfer and craft-worker. He enjoyed woodworking, and made bedroom furniture and toys for his children and grandchildren. He performed much of his own automotive maintenance, often having his sons or daughters present. He made beautiful stained glass windows and was an avid birder. He kept the feeders full and knew the bird species of Northwest Arkansas. In their retirement, Paul and Gloria enjoyed several cruises to experience other parts of the world. Their cruises took them through the Panama Canal, to Alaska and to many Caribbean ports. Paul was preceded in death by his first wife, Mary Ann Deets Johnson; and grandson, Caleb Johnson. Paul is survived by wife, Gloria Ann Shutt Johnson, whom he married May 7, 1972; twin daughters, Suzy Davis and her husband, Henry, and Sherry Holcomb and her husband, David, both of whom are from Manhattan, Kan.; two sons, Brent Johnson and his wife, Vicki, of Boulder, Colo., Brad Johnson and wife, Missy, of Johnson City, Tenn.; sister, Nancy Meeker and husband, Jim, of Milan, Ill.; 10 grandchildren and two great-grandsons. A memorial service will be held at First United Methodist Church in Bella Vista, and will be announced at a later date by the family. Memorials may be sent to Circle of Life Hospice, 900 NE Verdant, Bentonville, AR 72712. Please share thoughts, memories and condolences with the family at www.eptingfuneralhome.webs.com.