Ralph Hampton Johnson

Ralph H. Johnson, 98, of Little River, SC, passed away on June 11, 2020. He was preceded in death by his wife, Ruth Fields Johnson, and his stepson, James Craig Hale. He is survived by his sister-in-law, Wilma Johnson; his nieces and nephews, Jane Nagel, Ben Johnson (Renee Leathers), Chris Johnson (Katherine Davis), Joni Johnson (Craig Anderson), Trina Dees, Rob Draper, Barbara Russell (Bill), Sybil Hardin, Brenda Edwards (Jim), Michael Bolin (Alexis), Stephanie Williams (Franklin), John Beidelman, Sally Johnson; numerous great nieces and nephews and his beloved cat Moxie.

Ralph was born the 10th of 12 children on January 17, 1922 in Stanley, NC to the late Benjamin Martin Johnson and Alice Naomi Moss Johnson. His family moved to Belmont, North Carolina when he was nine.

In 1942, Ralph was drafted into the infantry. A year later he was sent overseas to England during WWII to work for the Signal Corp Division of the U.S. Army where he operated the first mobile parts depot that followed the front line troops into the D-Day invasion. Ralph was discharged from the Army in 1945 and awarded the Bronze Star for his service.

Ralph attended college on the GI Bill. He went to North Carolina State University for two years and then transferred to the University of Kentucky, where he graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Electrical Engineering. He worked for American Electric Power Company in Lynchburg, VA and was later transferred to Logan, WV.

Ralph married Ruth in 1969 and they lived in Huntington, WV for 14 years. He retired from American Electric in 1983 after 34 years and moved back to Gastonia, NC to help care for some of his older siblings. In 1999, Ralph and Ruth moved to Little River, SC where they made many friends in the neighborhood and joined Ocean Drive Presbyterian Church. They enjoyed playing golf and cards, traveling and hosting family members.

He loved playing golf, watching golf on TV, listening to gospel and classical music, woodworking, crossword puzzles, and computer games. Ralph was soft-spoken, humorous and had a profound impact on those who knew him. He was devoted to his family, friends and his faith.

The family would like to thank the caregivers at Home Instead for their loving care over the last few years.

The family will receive friends on Thursday, June 18 from 2-3:00 p.m. at Lee Funeral Home, 11840 Highway 90, Little River, SC with a service to follow. The burial will be at Evergreen Cemetery, 1462 Armstrong Ford Rd, Belmont, NC on Friday, June 19, 2020.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Ocean Drive Presbyterian Church, P.O. Box 277, North Myrtle Beach, SC 29582.

A guestbook is available at www.leefhandcrematory.com.

Lee Funeral Home & Crematory of Little River/North Myrtle Beach is serving the family.