Rodney D. “R.D” Johnson passed from his earthly home on February 6, 2020 at OSF St. Mary’s Medical Center his loving family with him. He was of the Catholic faith.
R.D was born on October 16, 1945 to Julius “Buster” Johnson and Mary K. King Johnson. R.D. married Carole P. Carter in 1964, and born to that marriage in 1965 was Tamara Jo.
R.D. joined the United States Air Force to serve our country on October 21, 1963. He served as an Airman First Class until he was Honorably Discharged on February 1, 1967.
R.D. later married the love of his life, Judith Ann White, on May 3, 1969. They remain married to this day. He was a rabid, avid Cubs fan for over 65 years, which Judy never understood, but she tolerated. His family will forever remember him yelling at his Cubbies on the radio and on television; especially when they won the World Series in 2016.
R.D is survived by Judith Johnson, his cherished wife of 50 years and his “Judy”; sister Marylou Mahar; children Tammi (Michael) Navarro, Kristen Williams, Gregory (Amy) Johnson, and Karyn (Jason) Gabriel; ten grandchildren and four great-grandchildren; brother-in-Laws Thomas (Jill) White, Edward White, and Robert Miller; several nieces and nephews and their families: his four furry grandpuppies and six grand kittens. They all loved Papa so much!
R.D was preceded in death by his parents; sister Floranne “Annie” Miller; brother, Charles “Chuck” Johnson; Father-in-Law Edward White; Mother-in-Law Albertina Matilda “Tina” Town White; step-father, William “Sherm” King; step mother, Vera Gray Johnson; brother in law, Robert Mahar; and nephew John W. Miller and several aunts, uncles and cousins.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Rodney’s name can be made to Wounded Warriors, The Shriner’s Children’s Hospital, The Children’s Miracle Network, Family Planning of Western Illinois, St. Jude, or a charity chosen by the donor. A memorial honoring the life of Rodney was held Saturday, February 15, 2020 at the Thomas Legacy Center at Watson-Thomas Funeral Home and Crematory in Galesburg. Online expressions of sympathy may be sent to the family at www.watsonthomas.com.
