Ronald James "R.J." Johnson

Memorial service for Ronald James (R.J.) Johnson, 67, of Roswell, NM will be at 2:00 PM, Thursday, December 11, 2014 at Anderson Bethany Funeral Home with Pastor David Brunson officiating. Military Honors will be provided by Roswell Veterans Honor Guard. Burial to follow at South Park Cemetery. R.J. passed away peacefully at home Sunday, December 7, 2014. R.J. was born July 23, 1947 in Topeka, Kansas to Samuel G. and Jacqueline Johnson. He enjoyed hunting, camping, guns, the outdoors, working on the ranch and loved his dog Jim. R.J’s truest passion was teaching. He loved being around his students and enjoyed seeing them grow and reach their full potential as adults. He is preceded in death by his father Dr. Sam Johnson, father-in-law Thurman White, and niece Cari Lewis. R.J. is survived by his wife Linda whom he married January 28, 1968 in Roswell, his daughter Jennifer Roberts and husband Kenneth, grandchildren, Nathen and Ryan Roberts of Roswell, his mother, Jacqueline (Jackie) Johnson of Roswell, sister Vickie Fisher and husband Walt of El Paso, TX, brother, Sam Johnson II of Reno, NV, nephew, Michael Fisher and wife Maria of Santa Teresa, NM, niece Pamela Calkins and husband Andrew of Hillsboro, Or and their son Logan, aunts Katsy Whitaker and Kitty Zukowski and numerous cousins, mother-in-law Johnnie White of Hagerman, NM, sister-in-law Elaine and husband Boyd of Coalgate OK, sister-in-law Kim White of Tatum, NM and niece Laura Lewis of Roswell. During his Roswell School days R.J. was active in boyscouts, becoming and Eagle Scout. He attended NMMI for several years and graduated from Roswell High School in 1965. Following High School, he obtained his Bachelors’ Degree from NMSU and then went on to earn his Masters’ Degree in education at ENMU. R.J. attended flight school in Pensacola Florida with the US Navy. R.J. Taught in Hatch, Roswell, Hagerman and Hobbs for 20 years where he also coached football at Highland Junior High. After retirement he returned to NMMI for 6 years as a Tac Officer and then went on to work at the South Park Cemetery as a grounds keeper for 5 years. R.J. developed lifelong friendships whereever he was and was loved and respected by all of his students. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him. Honorary pallbearers will be W.H. Allison, Buddy Pipkins, Wallace Campbell, Logan Bailor, Mike Mahoney, Bob Bergener, Rodney Mayes, Boyd Lewis, and his shooting friends and former Co-workers at South Park Cemetery. In lieu of flowers the family suggests a donation to your charity of choice. Special thanks to Dr. Badine and staff at Kymera.

Ronald James "R.J." Johnson

July 23, 1947 - December 7, 2014