Mr. Howard Lee Johnson

Howard Johnson, 79, passed away in the early morning hours of Friday, July 10, 2015, after a long battle with cancer. Howard was born on July 19, 1935, in Cincinnati, OH, the second child to Ethel and Ray Johnson.

Howard’s childhood was the perfect balance of safety and independence. He fondly remembered playing with his sister in their home town of Elmwood, OH, and taking the train by himself to visit his Aunt Vernie. He graduated from St. Bernard High School in 1952.

No home improvement project or appliance repair intimidated Howard and he was happy to fix anything for friends and family. He was a tireless worker and craftsman, retiring from Sears Holding Company in 1992. Howard, a talented saxophonist, loved spending time with family, playing tennis, listening to jazz music, reading James Patterson novels, and fishing. Howard's love and kindness extended to a stray cat he called Mimi who he cared for until his death.

Howard is survived by his loving wife, Rosella Mildred Johnson; his children, Debra Bentley and Gary Johnson; his sister, Josephine Wesley and her children Ron Wesley, Carolyn Thompson, David Wesley and Rick Wesley; his stepchildren Terry Griffo, Patrick Rickard, Pamela Hasell, Andrea Payson, and Dorothy Hollonquest; his grandchildren Erin Johnson, Timothy Johnson, Dante Colombano, Camille Johnson, Eric Carr, Allison Rickard, Evan Carr, Ashleigh Taylor, Jessica Hasell, Jackie Corbett, Alyssa Hasell, Cameron Olson, Terra Porter, Haley Rickard, Connor Rickard, Claira Rickard, and Samantha Payson; and his great grandchildren Olivia Johnson, Ashton Car, Lacey Corbett, Sydney Corbett, Hayden Corbett, and Stella Carr.