John R. Johnson

November 28, 1923 - April 7, 2013

Mr. John R. Johnson, age 89, passed away Sunday, April 7, 2013 in St. Cloud, FL.

Funeral services will be conducted Friday, April 12, 2013 at 1:00 PM from the chapel of Heritage Funeral Home. Burial will follow in Maury Memorial Gardens with military honors provided by the United States Army. The family will visit with friends one hour prior to the service. Heritage Funeral Home is assisting the family and in charge of arrangements.

Mr. Johnson was born November 28, 1923 in Elwood, IN and was the youngest of the 11 children of Tolbert Bergen and Vesta Valentine Hood Johnson. He was a Tool & Die operator with Delco REMY for 32 years and a member of the Methodist Church.

During WWII, John served his country in the United States Army. By the end of the war he had earned two Bronze Stars and was awarded the Purple Heart.

John’s creative mind was always at work. It was a lifelong dream to have at least one patented idea manufactured, but that dream never came to pass. In his free time he worked as a wood carver and was known to play the lottery in his later years. At one point he even built a Merry-Go-Round from salvaged factory parts. Once completed, the neighborhood children enjoyed riding on it until the time he sold it to the carnival that was in town. Whenever the weather permitted you could find John in his most memorable role in life as a yard-putterer. He was constantly puttering around his yard keeping it beautiful for all to see and enjoy.

He was known for his sense of humor and the enjoyment of being with his grandchildren. His kindness for those around him, as well as his creative mind will be missed by all who knew and loved him.

He is survived by two daughters: Brenna (Chuck) Brown of Hampshire, TN and Bobbi (Derek) Hosier of St. Cloud, FL; 8 grandchildren: Erica Brown Scott, Sandi Brown Wood, Nicholas Wade Brown, Charles D. Brown, Christopher Hosier, Benjamin Hosier, Jonathan Hosier and Michael Hosier; as well as 12 great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his ten brothers and sisters, and his wife: Rosemary Johnson.

Condolences may be sent to the family at the top of this page.