Raymond Johnson

Raymond Johnson USN LCDR (Ret.), 99, of Fayetteville passed away peacefully at his home on Sunday, June 1, 2014. Born in Flippin, Ark., on March 8, 1915, to Eugene and Minnie B Johnson, Raymond was the fourth of five children. He joined the Navy in 1934 and served in ranks from apprentice seaman to lieutenant commander during his 25-plus years of active duty, and served during World War II and Korea. At the beginning of his Navy career, Raymond bowled for the first time in Balboa, Panama. He bowled his last game at the tender age of 98, just months ago at Ozark Lanes. Mr. Johnson married his hometown sweetheart, Maude Berry, in 1938. Maude was the love of his life, a college beauty queen, and mother to his two children, Rae and Dink, until her death from Alzheimer's in 1990. They were wed 52 years. Raymond met Nancy McKeon at Ozark Lanes and they were married in 1991. They enjoyed many years of travel and life together before Nancy suffered a debilitating stroke almost 11 years ago. As he had done with his first wife, Raymond took great care of Nancy during her years of illness and they were married 23 years when she passed away on May 17, 2014. During his long life, Raymond mentored young couples throughout the community and especially at local churches of Christ where he and Maude, and later Nancy, attended. Mr. Johnson was a supporter of Green Valley Bible Camp in Rogers, Hope Harbor Children's Home in Claremore, Okla., and Children's Home in Paragould. Raymond's wit, wisdom, business sense, bowling game high of 287, cribbage skills, green thumb, compassion, philanthropy, beekeeping, blue eyes, deep voice and tender heart will not soon be forgotten by the many lives he touched. Mr. Johnson was preceded in death by his parents, Eugene and Minnie B. Johnson; his siblings; his son, Dink Johnson; and his wives, Maude Berry and Nancy McKeon. Raymond is survived by his daughter, Rae Parette of Coweta, Okla.; his grandchildren, Mark Parette of Coweta Okla., David Parette of Fayetteville, Michelle Kremers of Broken Arrow, Okla., Amy Killam of Pinehurst, N.C.; and great-grandchildren, Riley Killam, Tyler Parette, Jacob Kremers, Hayden Killam, Becket Killam, Abigail Parette, Megan Parette and Mason Parette. In lieu of flowers, please send donations in remembrance of Mr. Johnson to the children's home of your choice. Raymond will be interred by a Navy Honor Guard at Fayetteville National Cemetary on Friday, June 6, at 1 p.m. You are welcome to attend this ceremony and/or join us to honor and celebrate his life at 11 a.m. on Saturday, June 7 at Mount Comfort Church of Christ.