Ralph Johnson

On Sunday, January 24, 2021, Ralph Johnson “Uncle Ralph” set sail on his final voyage with his loving wife Teresa by his side. Ralph was born to Hazel A. Johnson and Johnie L. Johnson in Yazoo City, Mississippi, on October 11, 1949.

Ralph is a 1967 graduate of Pottstown Senior High School in Pottstown, Pennsylvania. His sense of adventure led him to delay college and go to Germany with his family just a few days after his high school graduation. After returning from Germany, he moved to Temple, Texas, to join his grandfather, Lester Craft. He intended to stay in Texas long enough to complete college but he never left. In 1972, he earned a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor with a degree in computer science. He and Teresa discovered each other on Labor Day weekend in 1986 and were married on August 12, 1989. Each of those 35 years was better than the previous one.

As Ralph sails into the sunset, he leaves at the dock his wife, Teresa Cumbie Johnson; five siblings James Johnson and his wife Marva of Allentown PA, William “Bill” Johnson of Pottstown PA, Barbara Johnson-Gray of Chesapeake VA, Harold Johnson of Temple TX, and Michael Johnson of Pottstown PA; a brother-in-law, Ray Cumbie of Gladewater, TX; five nieces, Jessica Steinbergen and husband Michael Steinbergen, Taylor Gray, Melissa Johnson, Justine Johnson, and Kindra Lynn Cumbie, one nephew Tyler Gray; great-niece Rayden Cumbie; and great-nephew Kingston Steinbergen; best friend Chuck Crocker; dear friends and poker and drinking buddies Ernesto Chapa, Doug Barber, David Revier, and David Peterson; and his large extended family of friends.

Whether being with friends and family, sailing, cheering for the Rangers, shooting photos, or flying kites, Ralph always danced like nobody was watching, loved like he’d never been hurt, sang like nobody was listening, and lived like it’s heaven on earth (paraphrased from Mark Twain).

Visitation will be Friday, evening 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm at Sparkman-Crane Funeral Home. Masks and social distancing will be required. Graveside service will be 2:00 pm Saturday at Gladewater Memorial Park, 4716 US Hwy 80, Big Sandy, TX 75755. Masks and social distancing will be required.

In lieu of flowers, Teresa recommends making a donation to the Pancreatic Cancer Network (PanCan). You may click this link to donate in Ralph’s name: http://support.pancan.org/goto/RalphJohnson and click the Donate Now button.