Raymond Carl Johnson

Raymond C. Johnson 

Raymond Carl Johnson took his place in Heaven on February 28, 2021 from Canadian Lakes, Michigan.  Ray was born in Burlington, Colorado, October 18, 1920 where his mother Lenore (Nixon) Johnson was the first female superintendent of schools.  He was raised in Lincoln, where his father, Raymond “King” Carl Johnson, served as State Auditor for the State of Nebraska for 32 years.  He cherished his summers at his grandmother’s “Nixon Home” in Bellaire, MI, helping in Emma Nixon’s large gardens and fishing, Bellaire and Intermediate lakes. He continued to frequently visit and fish Lake Bellaire throughout his long life. 

Ray studied engineering at University of Nebraska, then worked for 55 years at Turner Brothers, Inc., where he designed and serviced assembly line equipment. Ray was a mechanical wizard, often called in to solve “unsolvable” mechanical problems, particularly for the auto industry.  The high point of his career was in 1976 when he worked for 2 months in the Soviet Russia setting up assembly line equipment for V-16 truck engines (attending underground churches and handing out Bibles that he smuggled in). 

Ray was a lifelong organic gardener and health food advocate (except for his love for vanilla ice cream).  He loved his wife “Ruthie” and family of 6 children, farming, fishing, vanilla ice cream, all things mechanical, church fellowship, and his Lord.  He lived his faith, loving, forgiving, and helping others. He was a member of Lakeland Trails Baptist Church of Pinckney, where a private memorial service will be held April 5 at 11:00 am.   For details about the service and Zoom connection please call 1-734-878-9431.

Memorials:  In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Ray can be made to the Bellaire Historical Society, 202 N Bridge St., Bellaire, MI 49615, or the Cuba Bible and Medical Supplies Project, checks payable to Live Global, Project Number 0826511, PO Box 8585, Harrisburg, PA 17105. Please leave a message of comfort for Ray’s family at 1-877-231-7900, or sign his guestbook at www.borekjennings.com.

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