Richard L. Johnson

Dr. Richard L. Johnson departed from this world on Tuesday, August 2, 2022, in San Antonio having lived over 84 incredible years. He was born on June 12, 1938, to Wilma and Clarence Johnson in Enid, Oklahoma. His sister Beverly was born much much later to complete his family growing up. Having graduated from Arlington High School (Tx) in 1956, he served in the United States Air Force from 1956-1960. From the USAF, he began a pursuit with distinction of 3 college degrees to prepare him for a distinguished career in Electrical Engineering (BS in Electrical engineering (EE) from University of Texas in Arlington (1963), Master of Science from Southern Methodist University in 1965, and finally a Phd in EE from Oklahoma State University (Go Cowboys!) in 1970 being honored as an outstanding graduate student in Engineering in 1969. His true brilliance was shown by making the best decision of his life while studying for his BS as meeting Ethel Osborne in a church Sunday school and getting married shortly afterwards on December 22,1962 on winter break between semesters. He and Ethel balanced the life of being a college student, working with Mountain State Telephone and Telegraph Company and then General Dynamics with family as they added their two sons, Andy, and Blake all the while maintaining a near perfect 4.0 through his studies for his MS and Phd.

In 1970, Richard took his family from Stillwater Oklahoma and moved them south to San Antonio, Tx to work for Southwest Research Institute (SWRI) from 1970 and retired in 2000 achieving status as Institute Scientist and the prestigious IEEE Fellow(to quote a description from the IEEE website "IEEE Fellow is a distinction reserved for select IEEE members whose extraordinary accomplishments in any of the IEEE fields of interest are deemed fitting of this prestigious grade elevation"). Richard certainly had "extraordinary accomplishments" as he was the author of many articles and publications in professional journals, presented at many international conferences and had many patents during his tenure. While he could be justifiably content with his vocational accomplishments, his greatest and most lasting "extraordinary accomplishments" were all that he accomplished when he came home each night, to his family. With his best friend of nearly 60 years marriage Ethel, they travelled the world (often finding golf courses nearby the hotels). His sons remember him as either being their coach for athletics, taking them dove hunting, and the family trips camping or to the coast. As grandchildren entered his life, he always made it a point to make family trips to include all 10 of us either on cruises (not many Caribbean islands they have not seen) or special dinners at the Barn Door. He enjoyed when we all got together at a dinner table and seeing the grandchildren grow up before "Papas" eyes. While in San Antonio in 1970, Richard joined St Andrews United Methodist Church (Crusaders Class are you out there?) and went with his family and continued membership there until his last days.

To do justice to Richard, I have to mention two more passions (golf and dogs). Richard played several of the worlds best courses (Pebble Beach, St Andrews, Sawgrass) and every municipal course within a 150 mile radius of San Antonio that he could break down every course by hole and by stroke. Lastly, he loved dogs and they loved him. He had a dog every year that he was on his own; loving each of them even more than the last one. Browny was his last dog and it was a sad day when he could not go on walks with her toward the end.

To those of you who have read this far, please know that our Dad was certainly more than all of these accomplishments and achievements. He will be forever cherished and loved for always putting his wife Ethel and family first and making us feel we were the most important thing in the world to him. We love you Papa!

Richard is predeceased by his parents Clarence and Wilma and his only niece Betsy Fay Crawford.

He is survived by his precious wife, Ethel Johnson; son, Andy Johnson and his wife, Stephanie; son Blake Johnson and his wife, Monica; grandchildren Hannah Johnson, Bethany Johnson, Caleb Johnson, and Micah Johnson; and his sister, Beverly Crawford.

The family will receive friends on Wednesday, August 10, 2022, from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at Porter Loring Mortuary, 1101 McCullough Avenue 78212.

SERVICE

THURSDAY, AUGUST 11, 2022

3:00 P.M.

ST. ANDREWS CHURCH & SCHOOL

722 ROBINHOOD PLACE 78209

Interment will be private at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery with military honors being rendered. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Partners for Seniors c/o St. Andrews UMC.