Ray W. Johnson Jr., 88, passed away peacefully on Thursday, June 23rd,2022, in his Reading residence. He was the husband of Shirley M. (Prentice) Johnson, with whom he shared almost 65 loving years of marriage. Born in Reading, Ray was the son of the late Ray W. and Pearl (Jackson) Johnson, who received his education in the Reading School District and obtained a GED while serving his country in the United States Army. He was stationed in New Orleans, Germany, and fought in the Korean War. Subsequently, he obtained an honorable discharge, worked for H.T. Horst Construction company, Birdsboro Steel Corporation, and completed twenty years of service as a Correctional officer at Berks County Prison, retiring in 1991.
Ray was a "character"; if you knew him, you had to like him. He thought fast on his feet, always had a story, a quirky saying, a wise-guy remark, and the most incredible comebacks for any situation. He is featured with his son Ray III and grandson Ray IV in the book What We Keep by Bill Shapiro with Naomi Wax.
He loved sports! His teams were the Cleveland Browns, Boston Celtics, and the Los Angeles Dodgers. No Philly teams for Ray. His disdain for Philadelphia sports started when someone released a 'black cat' onto the field while Jackie Robinson played. He also liked to shoot 'craps' and play poker. He played bi-monthly, with his poker buddies, for many years and bragged that the youngest was now around eighty and the oldest ninety-four. They will miss him.
Ray's years working at the Prison were 'interesting,' for lack of finding another word. He missed nothing. No one could get anything past him; he had more street smarts than the inmates. He was firm but fair and earned the inmates' respect, leading to what his children called "the prison stories." There are many, but they decided on their 'top 4' to share.
The Hostage – not a pleasant memory, but the first on the list. As Ray left work late one night, he saw an inmate sitting in the barbershop. He knew that wasn't right, so he opened the door and asked, "what the hell are you doing here at this time of night"? The prisoner turned the chair around and was holding a sawed-off shotgun. He said, "You're getting your car and taking me out of here." Ray said, "I never talked so much in my life," to convince the inmate to let him go and take the car, which is precisely what he did. The car was found abandoned, and the inmate was later captured.
The Swat Team – well, not really, more like the Prison's response team to capture escaped prisoners. Somehow, Ray got the call that an escapee was hiding near his home. Then, on a quiet Saturday evening, during Wheel of Fortune, an armed team equipped to capture the convict came through the Johnson family front door and out the back door. Why use Ray's home? Because he told them that it was a shortcut to their destination, they were less likely to be seen, and the prisoner tipped off. Mission completed.
The Johnson Take-out Service- Ray was relaxing on his front porch and saw an inmate walking on the other side of the street. He knew that the man was supposed to be in Prison. Ray jumped off the porch, ran after the man, caught him, and convinced him to turn himself in. He brought him back to his house, called the warden, and his wife, Shirley, made the guy a sandwich while they waited for Prison officials to arrive.
The Two Stooges – Ray was on vacation, and two inmates paid him a visit at his home. They told him they were released early and stopped by to celebrate the joyous occasion. They asked for a drink to make a toast and wanted him to go with them to the corner bar to continue the celebration. Well, Ray being Ray, wasn't falling for it. So, he told them that he'd meet up with them. Then, after they left, Ray called the warden, his suspicions were confirmed, and the escapees were apprehended—at the corner bar.
His family so loved Ray that a legacy of his name will live on in what the family calls "The 7 Rays": Children- Ray W. Johnson III, Rae D. Johnson-Bundy.
Grandchildren: Ashley Rae Brown, Taylor Rae Barnes, Ray W. Johnson IV
Great-grandchildren: Jayvion Ray Farrar-Brown, RaeAnn Vanlandingham
Ray is survived by his beloved wife Shirley, four children, Willard D. George Sr., husband of Jody George, Cheryl M. Brown, widow of Michael E. Brown Sr., Rae D. Johnson-Bundy, wife of John L. Bundy, and Ray W. Johnson III, husband of Holly A. Johnson. Seven grandchildren, Marla Waldbiesser, Nikita Ross, Willard D. George Jr., Ashley Rae Brown, Taylor Rae Barnes, Austin Cassidy Bundy, and Ray W. Johnson IV. Eight great-grandchildren and four great-great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and many cousins.
He was predeceased by his brother, William H. Jackson.
Ray's life will be celebrated on Thursday, June 30th, at Theo C. Auman Inc., 247 Penn Street, from 6:00 pm until 8:00 pm. Interment is private, at the convenience of the family. Instead of sending flowers, please consider a donation to Berks Catholic High School, 955 E. Wyomissing Blvd., #1799, Reading, Pa 19611.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.TheoCAuman.com for the Johnson family.
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