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Early Thursday, 5 February 2015, Robert L. Johnson passed away in Columbus, Ohio, after a short illness. Born in Columbus 16 Oct. 1921 to the late Carl Henry and Flora Watkins Johnson, he spent his youth in Waverly, Ohio, as part of a family of four sons and one daughter. Robert excelled in sports and was awarded a scholarship to Ohio University where he played football for the legendary coach Don Peden. It was there that he met his wife of forty years, Alice Davis. When Pearl Harbor was attacked he joined the Naval Reserve, finished his studies, and after graduation attended Midshipman School in Chicago; he and his bride, Alice were married there on 20 August 1943. They were together in several duty stations before he was assigned to the USS MONTAGUE (AKA-98) and participated in the battle for Okinawa in the summer of 1945. In 1946 the family moved to Bryan. For 35 years Robert taught history and social studies, coached football and track, was ticket manager of athletics and headed the audio-visual department for the Bryan City Schools. For many years he was the local director of Junior Achievement (JA). He retired from teaching in 1980 and began a second career as the executive secretary of the Bryan Chamber of Commerce, service until retirement in 1987. In retirement he enjoyed golf, travel and visiting family.
Robert was pre-deceased by his parents, three brothers, Carl Jr., David, and Richard, and a sister, Elizabeth. Left to cherish his memory are two sons, Jeffery (Karen) Johnson and Daniel (Karen) Johnson and a daughter, Barbara (Thomas) Chadwick. He also leaves two granddaughters, Carrie and Jenny, six grandsons, Andrew, Robert, Evan, Nicholas, Reid and Scott, and seven great-grandchildren.
Friends may call at Oberlin-Turnbull Funeral Home, 206 North Lynn Street, Bryan on Tuesday, February 10, 2015 from 2:00-4:00 and 6:00-8:00 p.m. A funeral service for Robert L. Johnson will be held on Wednesday, February 11, 2015 at 10:00 a.m. at the Bryan First Presbyterian Church, 506 Oxford Drive, Bryan with Pastor Barry Sweet officiating. Interment will follow at Fountain Grove Cemetery, Bryan with Military Graveside Rites conducted by the Bryan VFW Post 2489.
In lieu of flowers, the family has requested memorial contributions be directed to Community Hospitals and Wellness Centers, 433 West High Street, Bryan, Ohio 43506.