Ionia County MI Archives Obituaries.....Johnson, Robert J. March 10, 2008
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Patricia Currigan currigan1932@concast.net October 31, 2023, 3:30 pm

Portland Review & Observe - March 16, 2008

                               ROBERT J. JOHNSON

Robert J.Johnson, 84, passed away on march 16, 2008 at his son's home in Fremont 
after 10 months of declining health.

Bob was born on Sept 23, 1923 in South Bend, Ind., the only child of Valmer 
Fremont Johnson and Isabel McCrory Johnson. Bob Johnson, with his wife Donna, 
owned and operated Portland Motor Sales for 30 years through 1981. Bob was a 
member of the First Congregational Church of  Portland.

Bob served in the United States Army during World War II serving as a military 
vehicle mechanic in Germany on the frontlines with the Blood and Fire Division 
(63 infantry Division-B Battery 1723rd Field Artillery Battalion.)

Shortly after his return from the war, after his father Val retired, Bob 
eventually took over ownership and management of a new Chevrolet dealership 
which also incorporated Oldsmobile at 425 E.Grand River Avenue. He was elected 
by other dealers in his district to serve on the Flint Zone Dealers Planning 
Commission.

He was a charter member of the Kiwanis Club of Portland, As a Kiwanean, he was 
the institutional representative of the Portland Boy Scout troop. He and a core 
of others had a vision for than Developed a two-year rodeo event developing a 
world class rodeo grounds on the flats just off from the Grand River in the mid 
1950s. Robert was a Mason since 1946.

Robert was an avid fisherman outdoorsman and golfer. He loved sports of all 
kinds but particularly football, basketball, baseball and car racing. He and his 
wife Donna, were married for 56 years until Donna's death in 2000. They became 
enthusiastic horsemen. Bob was involved as one of the founders of the Portland 
Riding Club and was the president for a number of years.He also served on the 
board of MAWHC Michigan Association of Western Horse Clubs.

In May 2001, Bob married his childhood sweetheart from Glenn, Mich.and they were 
happily married until his death.

Bob was preceded in death by his parents.

Surviving are his second wife of seven years; Marilyn; four children, Barbara 
Ann Johnson of Clearwater,Fla., Bill (Jan) Johnson of Fremont, Marilyn McDowell 
(Rick) of El Paso, Texas, David (Dr. Monica Moyer) Johnson of Laingsburg; 
grandchildren, Michael, Matt, and Brian and Andrew Johnson, Jenny (Pastor 
Chris)Starr, Rebecca Sue (Jamie) Rivera, Chris, Paul and Julie Johnson. There 
are also seven great-grandchildren.

Funeral services were conducted by the Rev. Marilyn V.Danielson, Pastor on March 
14, 2008 at the First Congregational Church of Portland. Arrangements entrusted 
to the Schrauben-Lehman Funeral Home, Portland.

For those desiring, memorial contributions may be made to the First 
congregational Church of Portland, in memory of Robert J.Johnson. Online 
condolences may be made at www.schraubenlehman.com

Additional Comments:
World War II Veteran

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