Reverend Wilfred ''Ron'' Ronald Johnson

OBITUARY Wilfred “Ron” Ronald Johnson was born on March 31, 1941 in Round Lake, Minnesota to Wilfred and Bessie (Stowe) Johnson. He was baptized at Worthington Church of Christ. Ron graduated from Alexandria High School in 1959. He attended and received his Bachelor of Sacred Literature at Minnesota Bible College in 1964. He was ordained at Alexandria Church of Christ in June of 1964. Passionate about education, Ron completed his Masters of Divinity degree at Columbia Bible College Graduate School of Missions in 1971. He then went on to post Graduate Study at Dallas Theological Seminary and Phillips University in Enid, OK. Ron married Marilyn Elaine von Mosch on August 31, 1963 at the Church of Christ in Redwood Falls, MN. The couple was blessed with three children, Philip, Joy and Amy. During his 49 years of ministry, Ron served as pastor in numerous churches throughout Minnesota & the Midwest, including the Church of Christ in Madelia, MN; Bella Vista Christian Church in Garland, TX; Central Christian Church in Caldwell, KS. In 2013, he retired from the ministry at First Christian Church in Fairbury, NE, but continued to lead chapel on occasion at Cornerstone, where he lived in Texarkana following his retirement. Throughout the years, Ron also worked as chaplain at Schaffer Mortuary in Caldwell, KS, and served as a hospital chaplain in Wichita, KS. He served on many different boards during his lifetime: President of the Ministerial Alliance in Horton, KS; Freemont, NE; Superior, NE; and York, NE. Ron also served on the Tri-County Manor Board, Herrington School Crisis Management Team, Running Club President in Caldwell, KS, Community Choir, Fair Outreach Director, Kiwanis, FCA, Horton Golf Club, and Council of Aging. In addition, Ron was instrumental in starting many community luminaries when he served as Chairman of Christmas Luminaries at several churches in Kansas and Nebraska. Some of Ron’s favorite pastimes were swimming, golfing, running, gardening, fishing, and camping. He also loved to travel. Some of Ron’s favorite memories were his trips to Minnesota, Alaska, Colorado, and Israel. Most important to Ron was the time he got to spend with his family. His 7 grandchildren were his pride and joy. Ron died on Thursday, May 12, 2016, at Christus St. Michael Hospital in Texarkana, TX at the age of 75. He is survived by his daughters, Joy (Jeff) Henard of Texarkana, TX and Amy (Timothy) Coleman of Nashville, TN; grandchildren, Camry, Laundon, Haven, and Kadence Coleman all of Nashville, TN and Graci, Emma and Abby Henard all of Texarkana, TX; sister, Sheri Macbeth of Baldwin, WI; best friend, Connie Strong of Wichita, KS; and many nieces and nephews. Ron is preceded in death by his parents, Wilfred and Bessie; son, Philip; brothers, Lenny Johnson and Marly Johnson; sisters, Ruth Ferguson, Linda Theis and Rose Keller Myers. A funeral service was held on Friday, May 20, 2016 at New Life Christian Church with Pastor John Taplin officiating. Interment was at Kinkead Cemetery in Alexandria. Arrangements are with the Anderson Funeral Home in Alexandria. www.andersonfuneral.net Click the link below to watch the tribute video: https://www.tributeslides.com/tributes/show/97FGCN58NWMRL6ZX

Reverend Wilfred ''Ron'' Ronald Johnson

March 31, 1941 - May 12, 2016