Robert Sterling Johnson

Mr. Robert Sterling JohnsonSYLACAUGA, AL – Robert Sterling (Bob) Johnson, 92, passed away on Sunday, October 14, 2012 at UAB Palliative Care in Birmingham, AL.  Bob was born on January 9, 1920 in Skipperville, AL.  He graduated from Dale County High School in Ozark, AL where he was a star baseball and basketball player, a member of the National Honor Society, Senior Class President and class Valedictorian.  With a two year Class D Teaching Certificate from Troy State Teacher’s College he taught at the junior high school level for two years in Demopolis before being hired to test the quality of explosives for E.I. DuPont at the Alabama Ordinance works in Childersburg, AL.   During that time he enlisted in the Marine Corps Reserves.  He was called to active duty on July 1, 1942 and sent to Georgia Tech to continue academic training and begin military training.  He met qualifications after one semester and was honored as the Outstanding Marine Senior.  After Marine Boot Camp at Paris Island, Bob completed Officer Candidate School and Reserve Officer Training School in Quantico, VA.  During his service he was in charge of Operational Training and Crew Formation of the PBJ Bombers.  Bob had received his orders to transfer to the Pacific Fleet when Japan surrendered after the bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki.  Bob was subsequently sent to Okinawa and Yokosuka to serve during the Occupation of Japan.  After completing his term he was relieved from active duty holding the rank of First Lieutenant.  After WWII he was promoted to Captain in the United States Marine Corps Reserves.  After WWII, Bob returned to Troy State Teachers College.   He received his BS Degree in Education and was inducted into Pi Kappa Omega and Kappa Delta Pi, Honorary Fraternities in Education.  He pursued his MBA at the University of Alabama, where he was a member of Alpha Kappa Psi, an Honorary Fraternity in Commerce.  He went on to work for Kimberly Clark Corporation for 40 years in financial analysis and business planning.  He worked 4 additional years at ECC America as a financial consultant before his final retirement.  Bob was also active in community affairs serving in the Sylacauga and the Alabama Jaycees.  In 1954 he became a charter member of the Kiwanis Club of Sylacauga.  Over the years he served in numerous positions including Secretary-Treasurer and Sylknotes Newsletter Editor (10 years).  He received the Outstanding Kiwanian of the Year Award in 1994-95 and received the Lifetime Honorary Member of the Board of Directors in 2010.  Bob was the last living charter member of that organization.Early in his career he married Georgia Mary Witham on May 21, 1956 at the First Baptist Church in Mobile.  They settled in Sylacauga where they had three children.Bob was preceded in death by his wife of 52 years, Georgia Johnson; his parents, John Leonard and Maggie Baker Johnson; daughter, Janet Elizabeth Johnson; and sister, LaMerle Carmichael. He is survived by one sister, Sara Brown of Tallahassee, FL; son, Roger Johnson of Arlington, VA; daughter, Carolyn Rakers, her husband Patrick Rakers, three grandsons, Luke, Zach and Grant Rakers of Birmingham, AL and many nieces and nephews. Pallbearers will be Charles Brown, Paul Brown, Bob Duncan, Paul George, Jason Lober, and Jerry Ousley.  Funeral Services will be held Friday, October 19, 2012 at 3 p.m. at the Radney-Smith Chapel with Rev. Randall Ingram officiating.  Burial will be at Evergreen Cemetery.  Visitation will be Friday, October 19, 2012 starting at 2 p.m. at the funeral home prior to the service.  Radney-Smith Funeral Home in Sylacauga, AL will direct the services.  Memorial messages may be sent to the family at www.radneysmith.com.