Richard Ray Johnson

Richard Johnson, 70, of Oskaloosa, passed away Friday evening, October 28, 2016, surrounded by his family at the MHP Hospice Serenity House in Oskaloosa. Richard Ray Johnson was born, October 31, 1945, in Oskaloosa to Ray Burdick and Florence Rozella (Hays) Johnson. He was raised on farms near Olivet, Bussey, and Oskaloosa and completed Oskaloosa High School. Richard furthered his education at Iowa State University and in 1967 graduated with an agricultural education degree. Soon after graduation, he married the love-of-his-life, Betty Jo Peterson, on June 22, 1967, in Harcourt, Iowa. His first job took the couple to Latimer, IA, where he served as a vocational agriculture teacher in CAL Community Schools. After a year there, they moved to Washington, Iowa where Richard took a position with Iowa State Extension as the 4-H Youth Director for Washington and Johnson Counties. He was soon promoted to the Monroe County Extension Director in Albia, IA where he served from 1970-1973. In March 1973, the family moved to the Johnson Family Century farm in Scott Township, Mahaska County, to become a full-time farmer. In later years his passion became bulldozing as he enjoyed improving his farmland. Richard loved visiting with his family and friends. He was a member of the Ebenezer Reformed Church in Leighton where he served as a Sunday school teacher, deacon, and elder. His ability as a leader was evident early when he was elected Oskaloosa FFA President his senior year in high school and was an Iowa FFA Degree Recipient. At ISU, he was president of Norman House dormitory. He went on to serve as Mahaska Farm Service President and Mahaska County Farm Bureau President. His family includes his wife, Betty, of 49 years; his children and their spouses: Thomas and Aichatou Johnson of Niger, Africa, Julie and Scott Baumler of Lisbon, IA; Michael and Adrienne Johnson of Oskaloosa, and eight grandchildren: Katelyn, Jenna, and Megan Baumler, Marie-Florence, Laurey and Elisabeth Johnson and Alivia and Max Johnson, and a soon-to-arrive baby, to be born to Tom and Aichatou; three sisters: Sandy Baker of Ames, Sue Ryun of Oskaloosa and Sally Hardy of Knoxville. Richard was preceded in death by his parents. Funeral Services for Richard will be held at 10 a.m., Tuesday, Nov. 1, at the Ebenezer Reformed Church in Leighton with Rev. Mark Jicinsky officiating. A family prayer service will be held at 9:40 a.m. in the church chapel prior to the service. Burial will be in Rochester Cemetery in Scott Township, Mahaska County. Visitation will begin at 11 a.m., Monday, at Garland-Van Arkel-Langkamp Funeral Chapel in Oskaloosa; the family will be at the funeral chapel from 5- 7:30 p.m. Monday to greet family and friends. Memorials may be made to Words of Hope radio ministry and Child Evangelism. Memories and condolences can be sent to the family by visiting the online guestbook at gvlfuneralchapel.com.