Samuel Ray Johnson, Sr., 87, of Starks, LA, passed away on Thursday, July 15, 2021 at his residence. He was born to his late parents, James and Millie Johnson on January 25, 1934 in Starks, LA. He was a proud member of the United States Marines where he joined at 17 years old with the permission of his parents,. He served during the Korean Conflict, where he was commissioned as an officer and was a member of the Marine Corp. League. He was injured during the war, and received the Korea Service, U.N. Service, Purple Heart, Korean Unit Citation, Bronze Star, Silver Star, and the Presidential Unit Citation. He was a member of the DeQuincy Masonic Lodge, Vinton Masonic Lodge, Mason in the Shriners, and a Past Post Commander with the VFW. Samuel was a lifetime member of the Commemorative Air Force and was a Boy Scouts leader for over 15 years. He had owned a 2/3 Scale P51 Mustang airplane at one time. He was a long time member of the First Pentecostal Church of Starks.
He is survived by his three sons, Samuel Johnson, Jr. (Vickie), Billy E. Johnson (Penny), David E. Johnson (Rebecca), all of Starks; one daughter, Dianne Hickey (Kevin) of Orange, TX.; two sisters, Pauline Collins of Deridder, Margaret Gillis of Starks; eleven grandchildren; along with seventeen great grandchildren.
Samuel is preceded in death by his loving wife, Betty Jo Johnson; his parents; five brothers, Carmen "Bill" Ashworth, Albert Johnson, Jesse Johnson, Lester Johnson, Paul Johnson; four sisters, Jewell Poole, Rubye Rackley, Dorothy Stanley, and Jewell Ainsworth.
Services will be held at The First Pentecostal Church of Starks on Tuesday, July 20, 2021, at 2:00pm, with Chaplain Jeff Bell and Pastor Karl Smith officiating. Visitation will be at First Pentecostal Church of Starks on Tuesday, from 12:00pm until the time of the service. Burial will follow at Miller Annex Cemetery in Starks.
Services entrusted to Jordan and Amanda Mothershed of Hixson-Snider Funeral Home.
Words of comfort may be shared with the family at www.hixsonsnider.com
