Robert E. Johnson died on December 15, 2012 after a lingering illness. Plans for a memorial service will be announced at a later date. Survivors include his wife of 63 years, Gray Adams Johnson; a son, Robert W. Biese Johnson and his
wife, Jene'; a daughter, Catherine Johnson and her husband Frank Harbers; three grandchildren, Hadley Moio-Johnson, Christofer Johnson-Harbers and Gisela Johnson-Harbers and a sister, Mrs. John J. McCaslin of North Beauford, Connecticut.
Mr. Johnson was born in Lincoln, Nebraska, on April 30, 1921, and grew up in Chattanooga, Tennessee, where he graduated from the McCallie Preparatory School, serving as Valedictorian of his class. He matriculated at Vanderbilt University in 1938, but his education was interrupted when he became a C.P.T. naval-cadet flight instructor, followed by service in the U.S. Army Air Corps. He graduated magna cum laude from Vanderbilt in 1947, was elected to membership in Phi Beta Kappa, and became a C.P.A. in 1948. He married Gray Adams in 1949, and they were blessed with two children, Robert William Biese Johnson and Catherine Johnson. In 1956, he completed his law degree from McKenzie School of Law in Chattanooga.
Mr. Johnson pursued a career in public accounting in Chattanooga from 1947 until 1964, when he accepted employment with Occidental Petroleum Corporation, which involved assignments in Plainview, Texas; Springfield, Ohio; Houston, Texas; and Los Angeles, California. While living in Los Angeles he attended the University of Southern California and earned his M.B.A. degree.
Mr. Johnson has been active in various professional, civic, and fraternal organizations, including Sigma Nu Fraternity, the Chattanooga Flyers Club, Junior Chamber of Commerce, Kiwanis Club, American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, and International Brotherhood of Magicians. Wherever he has lived, he has been an active member of a United Methodist Church, serving on various boards and committees and as a Sunday School teacher.
The family wishes to thank the caregivers from Baptist Home Health and John Knox At Home for their loving devotion throughout Mr. Johnson's illness.
The family wishes to express their gratitude to Baptist Home Health, Baptist Hospice, and John Knox at Home for their love and care for our loved one.
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