Rubin Johnson

Rubin Johnson, 93, passed away peacefully in his home in Orlando, Florida on September 10, 2012. Rubin was born on February 14, 1919 in Donalsonville, Georgia. He was the tenth of 13 children born to Eliza Warren and William James Johnson.

Rubin left the farm in Georgia to work as a carpenter’s helper in Jacksonville, Florida. He married Exelenter Warren and had two daughters (Gwendolyn and Eleanor) before joining the Navy in 1942 where he learned carpentry and served as a SeaBee. He was honorably discharged in 1945. He moved to New York in 1947 where he lived and worked as a carpenter for the next 45 years before returning south to retire in Florida.

In 1953, Rubin married Martha Belcher. Their union lasted 55 years until her death in 2009. In 1958, Rubin and Martha moved from Queens, New York to the new community of Roosevelt, Long Island, New York where they raised three children: Jacci, Rusty, and Michael.

Rubin was an active member in the Memorial Presbyterian Church in Roosevelt where he served as an elder. He was part of the Long Island Presbytery Civil Rights Commission that met with a Senator and Congressmen in Washington, D.C. in 1963. Rubin was active in Little League Baseball as a coach and an umpire. Rubin was an avid bowler, a hobby he continued until he was 92 years old.

Rubin is survived by his daughters, Gwendolyn “Gwen” LaMarr of New Jersey, Eleanor “Toot” Moore of New Jersey, Jacqueline “Jacci” Hoskins of Orlando, Florida; his sons, Rubin “Rusty” Johnson of Whittier, California, and Ronald Michael Johnson of San Diego, California; his grandchildren, Tracey LaMarr, Baja Ukweli, Monica Moore, Joshua Hoskins, Ashley Johnson, Ronald Johnson, Richard Johnson, Miles Johnson, and Adam Johnson; his great grand children, Jasmyn, Akoni, Yazmin, and Elijah; a great great grandchild, Aaron; and a host of nieces, nephews, extended family, and friends.

Rubin was pre-deceased by all of his siblings: George, Nettie, Ruth, Mary Elizabeth, Jethro, John Albert, David Levi, William James, Nathaniel, Jonathan, Helen Aquila, and Henry Nelson.

Rubin had a chance encounter with Mary McLeod Bethune on his first day of work as a carpenter that provided a lifetime of inspiration. For that reason, in lieu of flowers, we encourage you to make a donation to the United Negro College Fund, a charity cofounded by Dr. Bethune. For more information, go to give.uncf.org.