Carroll Ray Johnson

Carroll Ray Johnson, age 78, was born in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, on June 11, 1946, to Everett and Lucille Bowman Johnson. He entered Glory on Thursday, July 11, 2024, following a decline caused by Alzheimer’s. He was the third of six children: Leon, Darrell, Treva, Terry and Jarrold. Being one of five boys, he grew up enjoying hunting, fishing, archery and wrestling. His father owned a plating company and Carroll spent most of his youth working in and around the shops in both OKC and Duncan. His father hired WWII veterans to work in the shop and Carroll always enjoyed listening to their stories which sparked a love for history and the US military.

Carroll accepted Jesus Christ as his personal Savior while a young man. He served the Lord alongside his family in churches in both Oklahoma and Texas. His faithfulness to serve in church encompassed being treasurer for 3 churches throughout his lifetime as well as participating in camp ministry, workdays, special projects and above all, faithfulness to attend services. Of all his accomplishments in life, he was most proud that his children, their spouses, and his grandchildren all accepted Christ and would be together as a family in Heaven someday. 

The Johnson family moved to Amarillo in 1963 where he graduated from Tascosa High School in May 1964 and then attended Amarillo Junior College before transferring to the University of Oklahoma. While in college he was drafted into the US Army and sent to Vietnam. He received the Combat Infantry Badge, the Vietnam service medal with one bronze star and was awarded the Purple Heart following his unit’s encounter with sniper fire. While under fire, the Lord caused him to move slightly to the right, which saved his life, but caused serious injury to his shoulder and arm. Following surgeries in Vietnam and Japan, he returned to the states through California where he received physical therapy for his injuries. 

While completing his draft time at Fort Hood in Kileen, Texas, and attending church, he met and married the love of his life, Catherine Rae Flenniken. They were married on July 19, 1969. Catherine encouraged him to return to the University of Oklahoma where he completed his bachelor’s in finance and minored in economics and worked as a stockbroker. Feeling the call of the Lord on his life, he chose to pursue his master’s degree in biblical studies at the Independent Baptist College in Dallas, Texas. Loving the atmosphere of college life combined with preparing men for the ministry, he served as the Dean of Students and Registrar for 15 years teaching classes such as Personal Finance, Church Finance, and Church Ethics.

During his time at IBC, he attended the University of North Texas completing his second master’s degree in business education. This led to teaching positions at Red Oak High School, Duncanville High School and MacArthur High School, where he taught Accounting, Economics and Special Education. After teaching both college and high school for 39 years, he retired from Irving ISD in 2011. 

Carroll was preceded in death by his parents and brothers, Leon and Jarrold. He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Catherine Johnson of Hurst; two children; Carrie Renea married to Jerry Power Jr, of Hurst, TX, and Corey Ryan Johnson, married to Kelly of Trophy Club, TX. Carroll and Catherine have 5 grandchildren: Catherine Power Wilks (Logan), Justin Power (Brooklynn), Ashleigh Power, Jordan Johnson and Jace Johnson; brothers, Darrel Johnson (Lorraine) and Terry Johnson (Debbie); and sister, Treva McGinnis. He is blessed with many cousins, nieces and nephews whom he loved dearly as well. 

The family wishes to express their gratitude to Brookdale Memory Care of Richland Hills, Fidelis of Midlothian and Klarus Hospice for their care during this difficult time.

In lieu of flowers, Catherine has asked for donations to be made to the Faith Parking Fund at Friendship Baptist Church of Hurst, Texas. His services are as follows: Visitation on Tuesday, July 16, 2024 at 10am with 11:30 am funeral service at Friendship Baptist Church, 1248 W Hurst Blvd, Hurst, TX, 76053. He will be interred at the DFW National Cemetery on Tuesday, July 23, 2024 at 11:15 am.