Raymond Clair Johnson

JOHNSON, Raymond Clair, age 97, of Dayton, Ohio passed away on Sunday, January 16, 2022. Ray was born in 1924 in Detroit, Michigan where he met and married Betty Elaine Bresee in 1947. Ray loved his family and friends, and was a devout Christian. He was full of life, always willing to go somewhere, do something or just share stories.

Like many of the “Greatest Generation” he fought in World War II. He started in the European Theatre, as a Sgt/Squad Leader of a US Army mortar crew that took part in the Rhineland Campaign then liberated Czechoslovakia. He earned a Bronze Star during his service. After VE Day he was then transferred to the Pacific Theatre as part of troops designated to attack Okinawa. Luckily, instead he was part of the occupation force that decommissioned Japan. After the war he went back to college and earned a Mechanical & Electrical Engineering Degree from the University of Detroit. After a short stint with Army Ordinance he returned to Chrysler Corporation where he had co-oped during college. He rose rapidly through the ranks to become a Plant Manager. He was the Plant Manager of: Indianapolis Electrical Plant, Kokomo Transmission Plant, and Dayton Thermal Plant where he retired after 38 years. During the Chrysler bankruptcy of 1980 he led the strategy/negotiations for concessions from the State, the City of Dayton and the Union. Those efforts resulted in the Dayton Plant remaining open after it had been designated to be closed. Wherever Ray worked he was actively involved in the state and local community. In Indiana, the Governor bestowed on Ray the honor of “Sagamore of the Wabash”. In Dayton, he was active and held leadership roles in the: Chamber of Commerce, Presidents Round Table, AMBUCS, and Fairmont Presbyterian Church. In addition, Ray and Betty were active in several gourmet groups, and enjoyed The Dayton Country Club dance group. Ray was passionate about scholarship opportunities for youth and had a soft heart for any good cause. He owned several airplanes and enjoyed flying, model railroading, building/fixing things, and swimming. He and Betty loved to travel and traveled extensively throughout North America, Europe and Asia. They especially enjoyed their Marco Island Snowbird years.

Ray was preceded in death by his parents and Betty, the love of his life for over 73 years. He is survived by children, Glenn (Mary Harden-Johnson), Leslie (John) Jackson; granddaughter, Erin Roe (Cody); and extended family Carol Segi, Amanda Wray and Dr. Gary Edwards.

Family will greet friends immediately following the funeral service, which will be held at 10:00 am on Friday, January 21st, at Fairmont Presbyterian Church, 3705 Far Hills Ave., Kettering. Reverend Dr. Brian Maguire and Reverend Kelley Wehmeyer Shin officiating. The family would like to express our thanks for the wonderful care given by Ohio’s Hospice of Dayton and the dedicated caregivers of Home Instead Senior Care. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Fairmont Presbyterian Church, 3705 Far Hills Ave., Kettering, OH 45429, Hospice of Dayton, 324 Wilmington Ave, Dayton, Ohio 45420, Honor Flight Dayton, Inc., 200 Canary Ct., Enon Ohio 45323. Fond memories and condolences may be shared with the family at www.routsong.com.