Dr. Ronald Dee Johnson

Dr. Ronald Dee Johnson was born on his parents’ farm outside Ephrata, WA (along with his twin brother Donald Lee) on July 6, 1932, to parents Jesse Cam and Emma Estella (Blackburn) Johnson. He graduated salutatorian from Moses Lake High School, WA in 1950; cum laude from the University of Washington in 1954; and received both his MBA (1958) and DBA (1966) degrees from Indiana University in Bloomington. After completing his master’s degree, Ron taught business education subjects at Sealth High School in Seattle, WA, from 1958-1960. He then returned to Indiana State University in the fall of 1960 to enroll in their Doctor of Business Administration program, completing degree requirements in 1966. However, during that time period he served for 20 months on a Ford Foundation teacher education/clerical skills project in Djakarta, Indonesia, helping to upgrade office workers throughout Indonesia. He then taught at Texas Tech University from 1966 to 1971 before joining the General Business and Finance faculty at Sam Houston State where he taught until his retirement in August, 1992. He died on February 26, 2020, at the age of 87. Ron, who never married, would like to be remembered best for his loyalty and commitment to his family, his close friends, his church, his places of employment and the organizations to which he belonged. He was most active in the First Presbyterian Church in Huntsville, singing in the choir for over 40 years and as an ordained Elder serving as their Clerk of Session for over 25 years. Following his retirement from SHSU, Ron also began serving as their volunteer accounts payable clerk. While the Huntsville/Walker County Chapter of AARP was active in the community, he served as an officer in various capacities. He was a loyal member of both the Huntsville Men’s Choir and also the Huntsville Community Choir. Quietly behind the scenes he supported Sam Houston State University, the Huntsville Public Library, the Huntsville Community Theatre, the Huntsville Education Foundation, Rita B. Huff Humane Society, the Good Shepherd Mission, the H.E.A.R.T.S. Museum and the Boys and Girls Club of Walker County. Ron was preceded in death by his parents; half-brothers Roy and Edwin and half-sister Pearl; his brothers Jess, Bert, Jack and Dale; his sister-in-law Audrey; his sisters Helen and Joyce. He is survived by his twin, Donald; his sister Betty and her partner Lois Durbala; his sister-in-law Peggy; and numerous nieces and nephews, grandnieces and nephews and their children in Washington State and Arizona. Services will be held at 11:00 am Thursday, March 5, 2020 at First Presbyterian Church in Huntsville, Texas. Per Ron’s wishes, he will be cremated and his ashes inurned in First Presbyterian Church’s columbarium in their Prayer Garden. In lieu of flowers, please make contributions to the Ron Johnson Foundation, First Presbyterian Church, 1801 19th Street, Huntsville, Texas 77340-4226; or one of the organizations listed above. Memorial condolences to the family may be made at www.shmfh.com

Dr. Ronald Dee Johnson

July 6, 1932 - February 26, 2020