Ralph W Johnson

Ralph William Johnson passed away on August 2, 2011 in Salem, OR at the age of 89 from causes incident to his age. He was born on June 22, 1922 in Loomis, Nebraska, the son of Walter L. Johnson and Esther M. Larson Johnson. Ralph had been a resident of Salem for the past 10 years, and prior to that, he was a resident of Shoreline, WA for 39 years.

Ralph served for 3 years and 4 months in the Army Air Force during World War II as a radio operator and a radio instructor. While stationed in Madison, WI, he met a special young lady, Mary Kathryn O'Connor, who worked as a waitress at one of the local restaurants. They married on December 13, 1944 in Madison. In 1962, Ralph moved his family to Seattle, WA where he found a job working for the Washington State DOT. He continued working there until his retirement in 1982. Ralph enjoyed many activities outside of work: visiting friends and family, ham radio, genealogy, sports, and music.

Ralph was preceded in death by his wife Mary of 54 years, daughter Jean Johnson Dill, brother Roger Johnson, and sister Rachel Johnson Miserentino. He is survived by his brother Royce Johnson, sister Carolyn Johnson McElvain, son James W. Johnson, daughter Joyce Johnson Lau, 8 grandchildren, and 3 great-grandchildren.

Footprints

One night I had a dream--

I dreamed I was walking along the beach with the Lord

and across the sky flashed scenes from my life.

For each scene I noticed two sets of footprints,

one belonged to me and the other to the Lord.

When the last scene of my life flashed before me,

I looked back at the footprints in the sand.

I noticed that many times along the path of my life,

there was only one set of footprints.

I also noticed that it happened at the very lowest

and saddest times in my life.

This really bothered me and I questioned the Lord about it.

"Lord, you said that once I decided to follow you,

you would walk with me all the way,

but I have noticed that during the most troublesome times in my life

there is only one set of footprints.

"I don't understand why in times when I needed you most,

you should leave me."

The Lord replied, "My precious, precious child,

I love you and I would never, never leave you

during your times of trial and suffering.

"When you saw only one set of footprints,

it was then that I carried you."