He was born in Topeka, Kansas on March 29, 1944. He is the son of Rosie Lee Johnson (deceased) and Willis Johnson (deceased).
He graduated with a Bachelors of Business Administration from the University of Michigan - Ann Arbor. He later earned a Masters of Business Administration from the University of Kansas.
He was married to the love of his life and his true soul mate, Charlotte Elaine Newton on September 4, 1982. He was a disciple of Jesus Christ, loved reading and studying the Bible and sharing in quiet devotions with Charlotte.
Richard was an ROTC graduate and joined the United States Air Force on April 29, 1967. He completed coursework in the Air Force that included Specialized Counterintelligence, Spanish, Greek. His was promoted several times in his career, with an ending rank of Major after a distinguished career as a Special Investigations and Counterintelligence Officer.
He received a Meritorious Service Medal and an Honorable Discharge in 1978. He then served in senior management at Phillips Petroleum and the City of Houston Aviation Systems.
Richard loved to read, traveling to see his grandchildren, backgammon, handball and was a member of the Gospel Choir at the USAF Hellenikon Base in Greece during his two years of service there.
He was survived by his children Rick and Michelle (Newton) Barlow, Christopher (Newton) and Kristie, Richard (Newton) Jr. and Sarah, Daniel and Cara (Newton) Guillaume.
He is also survived by his 10 grandchildren Sophie, Gabrielle, Grace, Joelle,
Silas, August, Elizabeth, Lucy, Eleanor and Alice.
He had two brothers; Douglas Johnson and William Newton; and a sister, Sherri Patrice Johnson.
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