Ionia County MI Archives Obituaries.....Johnson, Oscar Edward April 29, 2019
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Pat Currigan currigan1932@comcast.net August 21, 2020, 6:30 am

Ionia Sentinel Standard-Wed. May 22, 2019

OSCAR EDWARD JOHNSON, 92
On April 29, 2019, in St. Augustine, Florida, the world lost one of the last 
of the the Greatest Generation with the passing of Oscar Edward Johnson, age 
92.

Known as Pops, OJ, the Big O and Oz, he was a wonderful man, loved and 
respected by all who knew him.

Oscar was born in Highland Park, Michigan on May 27, 1926, the son of Joel 
and Bessie Johnson.He spent his early years learning to play cards, 
developing his lifelong love of baseball and going to movies with a paper bag 
full of popcorn and a quart of water, where he would stay and watch multiple 
features.

Oscar was extremely bright--he could add three-digit numbers in his head by 
the age of 51 Growing up during the Great Depression, he learned the value of 
a dollar (or a dime back then) - his mother would give him a nickel and send 
him out for a quart of milk. Oscar would run across town looking for the 
least expensive market that sold it since he was able to keep any Money left 
over. He lived his life in deep appreciation of the opportunities afforded to 
him in this great country.

After graduation from Eaton Rapids high school in 1944, where he fettered in 
football and baseball, Oscar was drafted into the US Army and served in the  
European theater during World War II. He received the Bronze Star awarded for 
heroism in a war zone and the Purple Hart for serious injury in combat.

When Oscar returned from the war, he enrolled at Michigan State College of 
Agriculture and Applied Science (now known as Michigan State University) and 
received a Bachelor of arts degree in Business in 1951. While attending 
college he met his beloved wife of 55 years, Jeanne. Her Belgian accent, 
stunning good looks and personality won him over and they were married in 
January of 1951. They went on to raise five children.

Oscar worked for Gibson Appliance in Greenville and Flint before taking a 
position with the State of Michigan Department of Mental Health. He and his 
family lived in Caro, Coldwater, Ionia and Lapeer as Oscar climbed the ladder 
to Assistant Director of Lapeer State Home, later named Oakdale Center. He 
retired from this position in 1989.

Upon retirement, Oscar and Jeanne returned back to Ionia where they 
reconnected with long-time friends. They wintered in St. Augustine, Florida, 
and forged new and lasting friendships there as well.

Oscar was a long-time member of the Rotary Club and served as Club President 
both in Ionia and Lapeer. He was a Paul Harris Fellow as well. He was a 
lifelong member of the First Presbyterian Church of Ionia and Memorial 
Presbyterian Church in St. Augustine.

During his lifetime, Oscar was an exceptional golfer -  a sport he was 
introduced to by his beloved brother-in-law, Bill Catto. In his prime, Oscar 
boasted a near-scratch handicap. He was known as a long ball hitter and a 
great reader of greens. many of his best friendships were cultivated on the 
golf course. He always strived to help others improve their game and was a 
joy to play with. During his last years in Ionia, Oscar would play regularly 
with his dearest friend, Dr. Jack Buck.

Oscar was also an accomplished baseball player, playing both hardball and 
fast pitch softball for many years after graduating from college.

Oscar is survived by his sister Gail Kemler; children Eric (Diane) Johnson, 
Crist Johnson, Leon Johnson, Claudia Johnson, Karl Johnson; twelve 
grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren and very special friend Pat 
Gustafson who brought joy to Oscar's life in his later years.

Oscar was preceded in death by his wife of 55 years, Jeanne (2006); sisters 
Areta Cummings and Hildur Catto; brothers-in-law Bill Catto, Donald Kemler 
and Harold Cummings; nephews George Catto and James Brodie; niece Barbara 
Wright and great nephew William Wright.

A Celebration of Life service will be held on Saturday, July 13, 2019, at 3 
p.m., at the First Presbyterian church in Ionia. In lieu of flowers, 
memorials may be given to the First Presbyterian Church of Ionia.


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