Obituary of Ronald L. Johnson

Funeral services for Ron Johnson, 65 of Clarinda, Monday, February 4, 2019, 11 a.m. at Walker-Merrick-Eickemeyer Funeral Chapel, Clarinda. Visitation will be held Sunday, February 3,2019 from 4 to 6 p.m. at Walker-Merrick-Eickemeyer Funeral Chapel. Ron passed away Friday afternoon, January 25, at Methodist Hospital in Omaha following a brief illness. Ronald Laverne Johnson was born July 5, 1953 in a car on the way to Maryville, Missouri. As his father Marvin was driving to the hospital his mother Marvis and his uncle Leonard were working to deliver Ron in the back seat of the car. When they arrived at Maryville hospital Ron was already delivered. In the hospital his mother; gave him the middle name Laverne to honor the uncle that delivered him; thinking that the uncle who delivered him was named Laverne even though his name was actually Leonard. Ron learned the value of hard work on the family farm in Clearmont, Missouri. Ron was the fourth child of eleven born to Marvin and Marvis (Bast) Johnson of Clearmont, Missouri. Farm life filled his memories of early childhood. Ron often shared memories of farm life such as milking cows, raising hogs, and riding horses. As a child Ron loved playing baseball with his family; often as a player and coach. His love for baseball and coaching continued throughout his life. This love of baseball was encouraged by his father, who would take his children on trips to watch baseball games in St. Louis, Missouri. One of Ron’s favorite memories from childhood was of his ninth birthday. On that day the Johnson family had a new baby born named Todd. Marvin and Marvis told Ron that he had a new birthday present named Todd; to which Ron said, “I don’t want that send him back where he came from.” In time Ron grew to love his baby brother even though they had to share a birthday. Ron left home after graduating from high school. He went to Northwest Missouri State University for a short time until he decided to follow in his mothers’ footsteps pursuing a career in psychiatric nursing. While working at the Mental Health Institute in Clarinda, Iowa Ron met the love of his life and the mother of his children, Shirley Ellen Marshall. When Shirley saw Ron for the first time, she knew he would be the father of her son. Ron and Shirley met in July 1977 and they were married during a blizzard on December 31st, 1977. Ron and Shirley had their first child Corey Laverne on July 26th, 1978. In 1980 Ron and his mother-in-law Donna Marshall joined nursing school together working to earn their Practical Nursing degrees from Iowa Western Community College, Clarinda Campus. Ron was one of the first men to break into the field of nursing; which at the time was a field dominated by women. Ron worked a full-time job while attending college full time. He often describes this as one of the toughest challenges of his life. 1981 was an important year for Ron as his second child Rhonda Kay was born April 6th. As Ron continued his career at the MHI the years went by and in 1987 Ron and Shirley were blessed with their third child. On February 16th, Melissa Ann was born. Ron’s passion for coaching continued with his children. For many years Ron coached Little League Baseball in Clarinda, Iowa. Ron’s passion for baseball touched the lives of children all around Clarinda as he coached baseball for both Corey and Rhonda at the same time; sometimes running from one field to another; coaching both the boys’ and girls’ teams simultaneously. Ron loved coaching and he would often say that we were a big softball and baseball family. After every game win or loss Ron would take the kids for ice cream at Dairy Queen. Ron had several championship teams, but foremost he was always about fair play and wanted to make sure that all kids had a chance to play no matter what; inspiring them to believe in themselves to be the best they could be. Ron had a long and rewarding career as a psychiatric nurse working for over thirty years as a state of Iowa employee until his retirement, helping thousands of people in their time of need and living his life in service to others. Ron loved being with family and enjoyed traveling to see them. He would make annual road trips with his wife and children. He loved travelling around the western United States to visit family, he travelled to Japan, and came to the Philippines for his son’s wedding. His most memorable trips include going to see family around the world. He is preceded in death by his parents Marvis and Marvin Johnson; sister and brother-in-law Vicki and Ray Beaman; sister Charlene Drydale; brother, Rick Johnson; brother, Keith Johnson in infancy; and mother-in-law Donna Marshall. Left to treasure Ron’s memories are his beloved wife, Shirley Johnson of Clarinda, Iowa; his three children, son, Corey and wife Karen of Suzhou, China, and daughters, Rhonda and Melissa of Clarinda, Iowa; Romeo Sr. and Rosie Acta (Ryan, Joy, Romeo Jr. and KC) of Legazpi, Philippines; brothers and sisters, Ken and Nancy Johnson (Michael and Cassie) of Clearmont, Missouri; Deb and David Cooper (Andrea, Jessica, Megan) of O’Fallon, Missouri; Patricia and Charles Dike (Jeremy) of Savannah, Missouri; Christina and Mike Gigliotti (Shannon and Ashley) of Ozark, Missouri; Kevin and Debbie of Chandler, Arizona; Todd of Elmo, Missouri; brother-in-law Leon Drydale (Lynatte and Kimberly) of Barnard, Missouri; niece Lorene Foust of Pekin, Illinois; nephew LeRoy Beaman of Middletown, Iowa; Father-in-law Richard Marshall Sr. of Clarinda, Iowa; sister-in-law Becky Nielson (Jason and Christopher) of Maryville, Missouri; brother-in-law Richard Jr. and Debbie Marshall (Gregg, Danny and Philip) of Clarinda, Iowa; brother-in-law Mike Marshall of Clarinda, Iowa; sister-in-law Kathy and Alejandro Merino (Kim and Kaylee) of Portland, Oregon; Yoy Sommay of Gresham, Oregon; brother-in-law Bob and Kathy (Emily, Jessica and Allison) of Villisca, Iowa; brother-in-law John and Wendy (Sheena and Zach) of Nodaway, Iowa; sister-in-law Sandy and Tim Fenner (Josh, Jenny and Marshall) of Littleton, Colorado; and countless number of precious family and friends. Ron was a devoted husband and father. He will be greatly missed, but his love and inspiration will live on through his family. May God grant comfort and strength to those who mourn his passing.