Ronald Eugene Johnson's Obituary
Ronald Eugene Johnson, age 77, of Aledo, TX, went to be with his Savior on September 24, 2023.
Ron was born on July 1, 1946, to J.C. and Sue Johnson in Dallas, TX. At the age of 15 he joined the First Primitive Baptist Church in Dallas, TX. He graduated from W.H. Adamson High School in 1964 as the ninth ranked student in his class of 260 and highest in mathematics. He was president of the National Honor Society, Vice President of the math society, Mu Alpha Theta, and a cheerleader. After graduation, Ron attended what is now Texas Tech University. He worked for three years as a research assistant in a Solid-State Physics Laboratory and graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in physics in May of 1968, with the highest GPA of any physics major. He was a member of multiple honors societies. That same summer he began working for Texas Instruments, Inc. in Dallas, TX as an optical engineer.
During his senior year at Texas Tech, in 1967, he met the love of his life, Carolia Marie Bass, at the Lubbock Primitive Baptist Church. Ron and Carolia were married on May 23, 1970, at the Muleshoe Primitive Baptist Church. They set up their first home in Dallas, TX where Ron continued his work at Texas Instruments, and they were members of the First Primitive Baptist Church of Dallas.
While employed with Texas Instruments, Ron worked as a design and project engineer with special emphasis in lens design and optical testing. These projects related to night vision and laser guided weapons. In 1972, they moved to Winter Park, FL when Ron began working for Martin Marietta, later Lockheed Martin, as an aerospace engineering director on a wide range of military defense projects that included missile and aircraft systems. He was lead engineer on the Low Altitude Navigation Targeting Infrared Night (LANTIRN) Program and was awarded a U.S. Patent for FLIR/Laser Combining Optics.
While in Florida, Ron and Carolia had two children, Julia Marie and Eric Michael. They lived in Winter Park and Longwood, FL for 23 years and were members of the New Hope Primitive Baptist Church in Winter Garden, FL and Little Zion Primitive Baptist Church in Davenport, FL. Ron was ordained and served as a deacon while a member of New Hope PBC and faithfully served both churches.
In 1996, Ron and Carolia moved to Yorba Linda, CA when Ron began working for North American Aviation and later The Boeing Company. They joined the Little Zion Primitive Baptist Church in Bellflower, CA. After his retirement from Boeing in 2007 as the Vice President of Engineering, Ron and Carolia traveled, allowing him to pursue his lifelong love of photography. In 2009 they returned to Texas, settling in Aledo, TX where they joined the First Primitive Baptist Church in Dallas, TX.
From 1972 until 2019 Ron and Carolia taught Primitive Baptist singing schools in Texas, Oklahoma, Florida and California. He taught over four generations of families in the singing of shape notes, the application of congregational singing and leading, and their benefits to the Church. He always emphasized the importance of a servant’s heart and the words of the hymns as they aligned with Scripture.
Ron was a student of God’s word, American History, and scientific principles, among many other topics. He loved sharing this knowledge through written articles, highlighting the significance of God’s sovereignty and providence in the lives of His people.
His grandchildren were one of his greatest joys. He took time to share with each of them, highlighting their interests with his knowledge. He made countless videos with his photography to share with them, including many special events in their lives. From the moments they were each born, to the people they are today, he has never ceased to be an avid listener and supporter of their every endeavor.
Ron was preceded in death by his wife, Carolia Marie, his parents, J.C. Johnson and Sue Abshire, his brothers Jerry, Jimmy and Wes Johnson, his son-in-law Michael Kevin Winchester, and grandson Brian Jacob Winchester. He is survived by his daughter, Julie Benitez, husband Juan, and grandchildren, Kate and John Winchester, Luke, Elyana, Noah, Abram and Simeon Benitez of Prosper, TX, his son Eric Johnson, wife Joyce and grandchildren, Eva, Wyatt and Grace, of Buda, TX, and a host of family and friends.
Services will be held at First Primitive Baptist Church, 1920 Gross Rd, Dallas, TX 75228, on Monday, October 2nd at 10:30 with a graveside service to follow at Restland Funeral Home, 13005 Greenville Ave, Dallas, TX 75243. There will be a visitation on Sunday, October 1st from 4:00-6:00 pm at Restland Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to First Primitive Baptist Church of Dallas, TX and can be sent to the following address:
First Primitive Baptist Church
C/O Steve Kinnard
311 Rowe Lane
Lancaster, TX 75146
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