Ruben Henry Johnson Sr.

Ruben Henry (R.H.) Johnson of Magazine, beloved husband, father, and granddaddy,

stepped into eternity September 23 at age 95. He leaves behind his bride of 75 years

Charlotte, daughter Linda Kay "Katie" King (Stevie) of Alma; Ruben Henry Johnson Jr.

(Janet) of Fayetteville; John Kenneth Johnson (Robin) of Russellville; grandchildren

Stephanie Kay Brister (Sean), Kimberly Faye Simon (Jeremy), Lindsay Kay Coleman

(Jacob), Ruben Andrew Johnson (Kristin), J. Drake Johnson and Bryce Conner

Johnson (Summer); and great grands Ross and Wyatt Brister, Trevor, Trenton and Tyler

Simon; Charlotte "Charlie" and Caroline Coleman; Ruben "J.R." and Harley Johnson;

and Hayes Johnson.

Ruben married Charlotte, his childhood sweetheart, in 1950. Their love affair spanned

almost 100 years, after meeting in first grade. Their life journey began with an Army

National Guard tour to serve in the Korean War, beginning with 34 years of military

service, before retiring as the Deputy Commander of the 39th Infantry Brigade at the

rank of Colonel in 1981.

R.H. joined the University of Arkansas Agricultural Extension Service as an associate

county agent in 1955, becoming a district agent in 1970, and retiring in 1989 as State

Leader for Agriculture and the interim Extension Service Director. His many

contributions to agriculture in Arkansas resulted in his induction into the Arkansas

Agriculture Hall of Fame in 2014.

After retirement from the extension service, he fulfilled one of his life dreams by

returning to Magazine and raising cattle on the family farm. Always a leader, R.H.

continued to serve his community through numerous board memberships, city and

county development organizations, election poll worker, and University of Arkansas

extension services. He was also instrumental in the creation of the Magazine Rural Fire

Protection Agency, obtaining federal grants and procuring much needed equipment and

training for the Magazine community. The local fire station honored Ruben by naming

the station after him.

His other life dream was to spend time with and spoil his grandkids, at which he and

Charlotte were wildly successful. He taught them all to play dominoes, gave 4-wheeler

rides and lessons, pulled sleds in winter and furnished pony rides year-round. Counting

cows and bottle-feeding calves were daily chores, creating lifelong memories of times

on the farm.

The family also would like to thank all the caregivers from One Source who made it

possible for him to remain at home for his final years.

The funeral arrangements are entrusted to Roberts Funeral Home of Booneville.

Visitation will be from 10:00 to 11:00 am Saturday September 27 at the Magazine First

Methodist Church. The service will start at 11:00 am. Interment will follow at Ellington

Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Magazine First Methodist

Church.