Dr. Benjamin Johnson

Benjamin Johnson passed away on February 24, 2016 at the age of 86. He was born February 16, 1930 in Pulaski, Illinois. He was the oldest son of John L. Johnson Sr. and Lula Vivian Cleary Johnson who preceded him in death. He attended Indianapolis Public School 26 and graduated from Crispus Attucks High School Class of 1948. While enrolled there, he was elected class president and editor of the school newspaper. Benjamin graduated from Butler University in 1955 with a BS degree in Education. His graduate work was completed at Butler University where he earned a Master’s Degree in Education in 1958 and an Educational Specialist degree in 1966. During the Korean War, Ben was drafted into the United States Army. He earned an Honorable Discharge after completing two years of service. On January 2, 1954, he was united in holy matrimony to Norma R. Oldham in Indianapolis, Indiana. He was a lifelong member of Mt. Carmel Baptist Church. Dr. Johnson had varied teaching and principalships including Indianapolis Public Schools #37, #56, and Shortridge, John Marshall, Arsenal Technical high school retiring in 1990. During his 35 years of service, 25 of those years as principal he received numerous honors and awards. He received the State of Indiana Council of the Sagamores of the Wabash award in 2013, and an honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters from Martin University in 2014. An avid sports fan, he was named to the All-City High School football team, lettered in football at Butler University and participated on the all Army football team in 1951. Dr. Johnson was a member of a number of professional organizations including the Kappa Delta Pi National Honorary Society. His parents, sisters Vivian, Shirley, and brother Jasce preceded him in death. He leaves to cherish his memory, his loving wife of 62 years Norma (Bobbie), brothers Richard A. of Surprise, AZ, and John L. (Tina) of Evansville, IN, sister-in-Law Shirley A. Johnson, nieces, Vickie Washington, Nadia Johnson-Patterson, Tracie Hampton, nephews, Rev. Lyndol Tipton (Ann), Kevin Tipton, Richard Todd Johnson, special daughters Lesley Penelton-Rattler and Regenia Davidson, goddaughters Marena Johnson, Leslie Winbush (Winston-Salem, NC) and special cousin Sylvia Lane. A host of other relatives, many friends and former students.