Vincent H. Johnson

Vincent H. Johnson

Vincent H. Johnson, 95, died June 19, 2006.

A much-beloved husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, he will be missed by his wife of 70 years, Elizabeth Irene (nee Garrett); children, Vincent H. Johnson Jr. (Bonnie), Kristen Kemp (Edward), Garrett Johnson (Barbara), Susan Stanfield (Lamont) and Patricia Kennedy (Geoffrey); grandchildren, Catherine Erisey, Theodore Johnson, Ann McKelroy, Elizabeth Johnson, Emily Newhouse, Amy Gilmore, Adam Johnson, Kathryn, Ellen and Rebecca Kennedy; 10 great-grandchil-dren; brother, Donald Johnson. He was preceded in death by his parents, John Algot and Anna Johnson; brother, Wallace Johnson; and sister, Doris Scull.

Born in Ridgeway, Pa., on May 21, 1911, he was educated in the Akron Public Schools, graduating from Central High School and then the University of Akron in 1934 with a Bachelor of Arts degree. At the university, he was editor of The Buchtelite, the campus newspaper.

After college, he worked for the Scripps-Howard Newspapers in Akron, Denver, and Indianapolis (1934-1938); was the executive secretary for the Builders Exchange of Akron (1938-1945); executive vice-president for the Akron Chamber of Commerce (1945-1948); assistant to the vice president and then president of the Akron, Canton & Youngstown Railroad (1948- 1969); and served as chief executive officer of the Akron National Bank. Additionally, he served as director for the AC&Y Railroad Co., Akron City Hospital, Akron National Bank and Trust Co., Akron Automobile Club, Akron City Club, Portage Country Club, and had been a trustee for the University of Akron.

An active alumnus, he was president of the University of Akron Alumni Association (1945-1946); president of the Akron U Hilltoppers (1950-1960); and was a trustee of Akron U Development Fund and Chairman of Akron University Associates.

Involved in his community, he was a member and former trustee of Westminster Presbyterian Church. He was appointed by Mayor Berg as the first chairman of the Citizens Committee for Study of Medical Education and was also president of the Akron Chamber of Commerce in 1957; chairman of the Area Development Committee in 1963; and president of Citizens for Progress (1963-1964); trustee and trustee emeritus of Akron City Hospital. He also served on the Akron Regional Development Board, Goals for Greater Akron Area, Area Progress Board, Community Improvement Corp., United Fund, Akron Area Medical College and Educational Foundation, and the Akron Area Council of Boy Scouts.

The family will receive friends from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. THURSDAY at the Billow FAIRLAWN Chapel, 85 N. Miller Rd. Services are private for Mr. Johnson's family. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the University of Akron Foundation, Akron, Ohio 44325; Summa Health System Foundation, 525 E. Market St., Akron 44309 or Westminster Presbyterian Church, 1250 W. Exchange St., Akron 44313. (Billow FAIRLAWN Chapel, 330-867-4141.)