Ray Kevin Johnson

Johnson, Ray Kevin, 79, a resident of Montgomery, Alabama and formerly of Sumter, South Carolina, and Kannapolis, NC passed away on Tuesday, January 26, 2016. He was known as Ray to most of his friends, but will always be remembered as Kevin to his family and friends in Kannapolis, NC.

He was a loving husband and devoted father and is survived by his wife of 59 years, Judy Crawford Johnson and their children, Jeffery K. (Kathy) Johnson, Jamie L. (Larry) Keith, and Sally A. (Ray) Sheffield; grandchildren Savannah R. (Kyle) Kepley, Kevin P. (Ashley) Keith, Kelsey E. (Ryan) Clifford, Kristie A. Sheffield and Trey Sheffield; great-grandchildren Kristian Kepley and Emma J. Clifford. He is also survived by his brothers Jerry R. (Faye) Johnson and Nicholas H. Johnson. He was preceded in death by his parents William H. Johnson and Louise R. Johnson.

Ray was retired from the United States Air Force and served his country throughout the United States and in Korea, England, France and Vietnam. He was also retired from Southern Coatings in Sumter, SC. He was a member of Sumter Masonic Lodge No. 364 and Past Grand Royal Patron of South Carolina Order of the Amaranth. He was active in his church and loved to sing in the choir. His love of music included performing in barbershop chorus and playing mandolin and singing tenor in The Maxie Branch Boys bluegrass band and others whenever he had an opportunity. Ray never met a stranger and was deeply loved by his family and many friends.

Visitation will be held Saturday, January 30, 2016, at 11:00 am, with a Celebration of Life service immediately following at 12:00 pm at Memorial Presbyterian Church, Montgomery. Interment will be at Salisbury National Cemetery, Salisbury, NC.

The family deeply appreciates the love and support provided by family and friends during Ray’s illness and the kindness and commitment of his medical care providers, especially Dr. Sam Saliba, Dr. Talene Yacoubian and Amedisys Hospice.

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to Parkinson Association of Alabama, Birmingham, AL or Memorial Presbyterian Church, Montgomery, AL.