He was 89 years of age. A native of Wilmington, North Carolina, he was from a family with roots in the state since 1680. He spent his early years in Franklin County and attended Louisburg College and the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill.
Mr. Johnson was a veteran of the U.S. Army, serving his country in the post-WWII occupation of Japan and the Korean War. In 1963, he came to Wilmington with his family through his work with the National Weather Service, from which he later retired. Robert was a devoted member of St. Mary Catholic Church in Wilmington and was a member of the Knights of Columbus, Council 1074.
Mr. Johnson was preceded in death by his parents, his sister, Laura Eugenia Johnson and his brother, Dr. Alva Howard Johnson. He is survived by Jane, his wife of 63 years.
He is survived by four sons, Dr. Robert H. Johnson III and his wife, Dr. Brenda Young; Richard K. Johnson and his wife Ann; William H. Johnson and Rev. Charles K. Johnson O.P. Mr. Johnson is also survived by two daughters, Eleanor M. Johnson and her husband Cedric L. Early; and Dr. Mary C. Johnson and her husband Dr. Mitchell Craib. In addition, he was blessed by thirteen grandchildren.
The family will receive friends at Coble Ward-Smith Funeral Home, 3915 Oleander Drive from 6:00 pm until 8:00 pm on Thursday, April 10, 2014. A funeral mass will be celebrated at the Basilica Shrine of St. Mary in Wilmington, south Fifth Street at 10:00 am on Friday, April 11, 2014. Interment will occur at a later date.
The family would like to thank Yvette, Billie, Kathy and Kay Ellen for their compassionate care. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Lower Cape Fear Hospice.
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