Raymond Ralph Johnson

Raymond Ralph Johnson

SHREVEPORT, LA - Raymond Ralph Johnson was born on September 5, 1930 and died Saturday, December 27, 2008. His memorial service will be held at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton given by Father Phil Michiels on Saturday, January 3, 2009 at 2:00 P.M.

Raymond Johnson attended grammar school at St. Vincent's Academy and High School at St. John's. He was a reluctant student who charmed his teachers who knew sitting at a desk was the hardest part of his education.

Raymond joined the electrical workers through the apprenticeship program and was accepted into the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Union Local 194. He celebrated his career receiving his 60 year pin on December 13, 2008. He became the youngest local union I.B.E.W. Business Agent at age 26 and continued his career, declining a position as an International Representative to serve as an superintendent of the Electrical work force at various locations throughout the nation: The Nevada Test Site, various nuclear power plants, the Alaska Pipeline, the local AT&T Plant, and the local General Motors Plant construction and retooling project for the truckline assembly. He studied business law under the guidance of Father Frank Tumey at Tulane University.

Raymond Johnson had a breathless energy used to speed through life spent in perpetual motion, talking all the way. He had a love for auto racing and at age 17 promoted and announced stock car races at the La. State Fairgrounds. He elicited older partners to guarantee his acceptance in the business venture. He was given the nickname, Gabby Gatemouth Johnson. Gabby continued the love affair with auto and motor cycle racing leasing, promoting, and announcing racing at dirt tracks at Barstow, California, Boothill Speedway at Greenwood, La. and at Minden, La. He was an auctioneer, and raised cattle and hogs. His greatest satisfaction was not the consummation of the deal but rather the pursuit of the deal and he always had many in motion.

His legacy to those he loved was his tireless work ethic, the doubtless expectation others should naturally have the same, and the courageous, valiant fight to live the last few years of his life.

Raymond Johnson was predeceased by his parents Garner and Julie Johnson; brothers, Jesuit Priest Father Earl Johnson, S.J., Julius Johnson; sisters Beulah Rupert and Marjorie Green, and son, Michael Raymond Johnson. He is survived by his sister, Teresa Bailes; his four children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren, who cared for him the last years of his life; son, James Patrick Johnson; daughter, Terry Lynn Broome and son-in-law, J. C. Broome; daughters, Mary Jane Branch and Laura Anne Morrow and son-in-law, Larry Morrow, nieces and nephews, and cherished friend, Joey Vergo, and the family of I.B.E.W. Local #194.

His family thanks WK Health Systems, Dr.Ted Warren and Nina, Dr. Tommy Brown, Dr. Laura Murphy, Dr. Martin, Ark-La-Tex Cardiology teams, Dr. Paul Schuler and staff, hospitalist at WKP, Dr. Johnnie, Dr. Edwards at WKP ER and WKP ER nursing staff, and the endless support of St. Joseph Hospice to assist Laura and Terry from Christmas Eve to the hour his fight for his life ended. In lieu of flowers, please make donations in his name to St. Joseph Hospice or the charity of your choice.