Ludwig A. H. Johnson

Of Natick, 91, died peacefully on July 31, 2008 at his residence in Natick. His daughter said "If he could have written his own exit, this is the way it would have been." He was born in Natick on November 7, 1916, the son of the late Richard B. and Viola (Johnsen) Johnson. Mr. Johnson has been a lifelong resident of Natick, and was a graduate of Natick High School with the Class of 1936. As captain of the track team, he set and held the shot put record which was broken 3 decades later by John Moran. He served his country proudly during World War II, with the United States Army 328th Infantry Division and attained the rank of Master Sergeant. He was the recipient of the Purple Heart, Bronze Star Medal with Oak Leaf Clusters, The European African Middle Eastern Campaign Ribbon with Four Bronze Stars and the Combat Infantry Badge. He saw active duty at Utah Beach, the Battle of the Bulge and participated in the Northern France, Rhineland, Central Europe and Ardennes Campaigns, and the liberation of concentration camp victims in southern Czechoslovakia. He drove with George Patton and enjoyed telling many stories about the time he spent with the General. For many years, he was the owner of L.A. Johnson and Son Painting Co. of Natick. He and his late wife Edna were well recognized for their breeding and racing of Greyhounds at Wonderland Park and in the Tampa/St. Petersburg, Florida area. He was an avid gardener and loved to read, especially books on history. He was a loving and devoted husband, father and grandfather to his family. He was a wonderful man who shared all of life's lessons with his family and friends. And, he loved a good joke! He is survived by his loving children, Ludwig A. Johnson and his wife Wendy of Monroe, CT and Lesley Lou Johnson of Back Bay, Boston. Beloved grandfather of L. Erik Johnson and Brooke L. Johnson, both of New York City, NY. Brother of Berry Johnson of Framingham, formerly of Natick. He was the husband of the late Edna Hope (Delaney) Johnson who died in April of 1995. Memorial visitation will be held on Saturday, August 16, 2008 from 1-3 PM in the Bryant Memorial Chapel of the John C. Bryant Funeral Home, 56 Pemberton Rd., (Off Route 30), Cochituate Village, WAYLAND. In lieu of flowers, his family suggests memorial gifts in his memory may be sent to the Greyhound Friends, Inc., 167 Saddle Hill Rd, Hopkinton, MA 01748.