Ray Roland Johnson was born in Rome, New York, one day after Christmas in 1954 to proud parents Ray and Dorothy Johnson. He was their second child and first son. Ray was the Social Butterfly among four generations of Johnson and Searcy family members, forever the kindest and most giving of hearts and an illustrious maker of merriment. He was everyone's FAVORITE!! A curious, inventive and adventurous soul, Ray revealed his natural creative skills at an early age, designing amazing graphic works of art and transforming everyday objects into unique pieces of aesthetic beauty. In addition to his artistic gifts, Ray was an exceptional athlete excelling in baseball, basketball and football in his youth and competing in high school prior to earning a basketball scholarship to Utah's Dixie College in 1973.
As a child, Ray enjoyed life as a military dependent. He and his family were blessed to live in numerous diverse areas across the globe with his father having been stationed (or temporarily assigned) in New York, Guam, Hawaii, California, Mississippi, New Hampshire, Florida and Colorado. He never met a stranger and was adept at initiating, cultivating and maintaining friendships with dozens of children throughout his youth. He also captured the hearts of all who knew him (adults, children and pets alike) due to his friendly nature, generous spirit and fun-loving outlook on life.
Ray attended Aurora Central High School for a brief time after the family initially arrived in Colorado and went on to attend and graduate from Cherry Creek High School in 1972. He excelled in 'Shop' class, again creating artistic masterpieces (most notably a monstrous, king-sized headboard and footboard) -exquisite pieces that remain with the family today. He enjoyed athletic competition and also delved into several extracurricular activities including maintaining love for all things that he could drive or ride— cars, motorcycles and bicycles. Because some of his passions required financing, Ray secured his first job at Kinney's Shoes when he was fifteen. He claimed that he was hired because "they assumed" he was of age due to his extraordinary height. Second to his artistic penchants was his love of music and dancing. He reigned supreme on the dance floor, graceful beyond words, considering his stature, while being fully enamored with R&B music throughout his life.
Subsequent to graduation, Ray took a "gap year" while continuing to work and foster his vehicular passions. During this time he became the proud father to daughter Natele, the little love of his life. In 1973 he was invited to attend Dixie College in St. George, Utah on a basketball scholarship. After completing his second year there, Ray returned to the Denver area and secured employment. He worked numerous jobs, to include Gates Rubber Company, UPS, Armour Meat Packing and AT&T where he met his future wife, Vickie Allen.
The past twenty-five years found Ray self-employed, working on home and business restoration projects where he performed magic, turning standard-fare structures into domains of whimsical beauty. He became ill in 2018 and in October 2020 was transitioned to healthcare facilities where he remained and was ultimately called home to rest with our Lord.
Ray Johnson A loving son, brother, grandson, nephew, cousin, father, uncle, grandfather, great-grandfather and loyal friend passed away Thursday, December 16, 2021, succumbing to an extended illness. He is survived by his father Ray H. Johnson; siblings Deborah Johnson-Graham, Bryan (Donna) Johnson, Craig (Darlene) Johnson, Anita Johnson; daughter, Natele M. Humphries; grandsons Malik and Kareem Humphries; great grandchildren Ikaia and Malulani Humphries; aunt Marie Justice, uncles Henry Johnson, Robert Carroll and Bobby and Milton Searcy; and a host of beloved nieces, nephews, cousins and life-long friends with special recognition of Linda Qualls, Gary Downs and Tim Graham. Private Family Celebration of Life Service held on January 13, 2022. An outdoor Summer Memorial Service to be scheduled in June at Ray's favorite outdoor arena -Aurora's Del Mar Park. Details forthcoming.
As a child, Ray enjoyed life as a military dependent. He and his family were blessed to live in numerous diverse areas across the globe with his father having been stationed (or temporarily assigned) in New York, Guam, Hawaii, California, Mississippi, New Hampshire, Florida and Colorado. He never met a stranger and was adept at initiating, cultivating and maintaining friendships with dozens of children throughout his youth. He also captured the hearts of all who knew him (adults, children and pets alike) due to his friendly nature, generous spirit and fun-loving outlook on life.
Ray attended Aurora Central High School for a brief time after the family initially arrived in Colorado and went on to attend and graduate from Cherry Creek High School in 1972. He excelled in 'Shop' class, again creating artistic masterpieces (most notably a monstrous, king-sized headboard and footboard) -exquisite pieces that remain with the family today. He enjoyed athletic competition and also delved into several extracurricular activities including maintaining love for all things that he could drive or ride— cars, motorcycles and bicycles. Because some of his passions required financing, Ray secured his first job at Kinney's Shoes when he was fifteen. He claimed that he was hired because "they assumed" he was of age due to his extraordinary height. Second to his artistic penchants was his love of music and dancing. He reigned supreme on the dance floor, graceful beyond words, considering his stature, while being fully enamored with R&B music throughout his life.
Subsequent to graduation, Ray took a "gap year" while continuing to work and foster his vehicular passions. During this time he became the proud father to daughter Natele, the little love of his life. In 1973 he was invited to attend Dixie College in St. George, Utah on a basketball scholarship. After completing his second year there, Ray returned to the Denver area and secured employment. He worked numerous jobs, to include Gates Rubber Company, UPS, Armour Meat Packing and AT&T where he met his future wife, Vickie Allen.
The past twenty-five years found Ray self-employed, working on home and business restoration projects where he performed magic, turning standard-fare structures into domains of whimsical beauty. He became ill in 2018 and in October 2020 was transitioned to healthcare facilities where he remained and was ultimately called home to rest with our Lord.
Ray Johnson A loving son, brother, grandson, nephew, cousin, father, uncle, grandfather, great-grandfather and loyal friend passed away Thursday, December 16, 2021, succumbing to an extended illness. He is survived by his father Ray H. Johnson; siblings Deborah Johnson-Graham, Bryan (Donna) Johnson, Craig (Darlene) Johnson, Anita Johnson; daughter, Natele M. Humphries; grandsons Malik and Kareem Humphries; great grandchildren Ikaia and Malulani Humphries; aunt Marie Justice, uncles Henry Johnson, Robert Carroll and Bobby and Milton Searcy; and a host of beloved nieces, nephews, cousins and life-long friends with special recognition of Linda Qualls, Gary Downs and Tim Graham. Private Family Celebration of Life Service held on January 13, 2022. An outdoor Summer Memorial Service to be scheduled in June at Ray's favorite outdoor arena -Aurora's Del Mar Park. Details forthcoming.
Ray Roland Johnson was born in Rome, New York, one day after Christmas in 1954 to proud parents Ray and Dorothy Johnson. He was their second child and first son. Ray was the Social Butterfly among four generations of Johnson and Searcy family members, forever the kindest and most giving of hearts and an illustrious maker of merriment. He was everyone's FAVORITE!! A curious, inventive and adventurous soul, Ray revealed his natural creative skills at an early age, designing amazing graphic works of art and transforming everyday objects into unique pieces of aesthetic beauty. In addition to his artistic gifts, Ray was an exceptional athlete excelling in baseball, basketball and football in his youth and competing in high school prior to earning a basketball scholarship to Utah's Dixie College in 1973.
As a child, Ray enjoyed life as a military dependent. He and his family were blessed to live in numerous diverse areas across the globe with his father having been stationed (or temporarily assigned) in New York, Guam, Hawaii, California, Mississippi, New Hampshire, Florida and Colorado. He never met a stranger and was adept at initiating, cultivating and maintaining friendships with dozens of children throughout his youth. He also captured the hearts of all who knew him (adults, children and pets alike) due to his friendly nature, generous spirit and fun-loving outlook on life.
Ray attended Aurora Central High School for a brief time after the family initially arrived in Colorado and went on to attend and graduate from Cherry Creek High School in 1972. He excelled in 'Shop' class, again creating artistic masterpieces (most notably a monstrous, king-sized headboard and footboard) -exquisite pieces that remain with the family today. He enjoyed athletic competition and also delved into several extracurricular activities including maintaining love for all things that he could drive or ride— cars, motorcycles and bicycles. Because some of his passions required financing, Ray secured his first job at Kinney's Shoes when he was fifteen. He claimed that he was hired because "they assumed" he was of age due to his extraordinary height. Second to his artistic penchants was his love of music and dancing. He reigned supreme on the dance floor, graceful beyond words, considering his stature, while being fully enamored with R&B music throughout his life.
Subsequent to graduation, Ray took a "gap year" while continuing to work and foster his vehicular passions. During this time he became the proud father to daughter Natele, the little love of his life. In 1973 he was invited to attend Dixie College in St. George, Utah on a basketball scholarship. After completing his second year there, Ray returned to the Denver area and secured employment. He worked numerous jobs, to include Gates Rubber Company, UPS, Armour Meat Packing and AT&T where he met his future wife, Vickie Allen.
The past twenty-five years found Ray self-employed, working on home and business restoration projects where he performed magic, turning standard-fare structures into domains of whimsical beauty. He became ill in 2018 and in October 2020 was transitioned to healthcare facilities where he remained and was ultimately called home to rest with our Lord.
Ray Johnson A loving son, brother, grandson, nephew, cousin, father, uncle, grandfather, great-grandfather and loyal friend passed away Thursday, December 16, 2021, succumbing to an extended illness. He is survived by his father Ray H. Johnson; siblings Deborah Johnson-Graham, Bryan (Donna) Johnson, Craig (Darlene) Johnson, Anita Johnson; daughter, Natele M. Humphries; grandsons Malik and Kareem Humphries; great grandchildren Ikaia and Malulani Humphries; aunt Marie Justice, uncles Henry Johnson, Robert Carroll and Bobby and Milton Searcy; and a host of beloved nieces, nephews, cousins and life-long friends with special recognition of Linda Qualls, Gary Downs and Tim Graham. Private Family Celebration of Life Service held on January 13, 2022. An outdoor Summer Memorial Service to be scheduled in June at Ray's favorite outdoor arena -Aurora's Del Mar Park. Details forthcoming.
As a child, Ray enjoyed life as a military dependent. He and his family were blessed to live in numerous diverse areas across the globe with his father having been stationed (or temporarily assigned) in New York, Guam, Hawaii, California, Mississippi, New Hampshire, Florida and Colorado. He never met a stranger and was adept at initiating, cultivating and maintaining friendships with dozens of children throughout his youth. He also captured the hearts of all who knew him (adults, children and pets alike) due to his friendly nature, generous spirit and fun-loving outlook on life.
Ray attended Aurora Central High School for a brief time after the family initially arrived in Colorado and went on to attend and graduate from Cherry Creek High School in 1972. He excelled in 'Shop' class, again creating artistic masterpieces (most notably a monstrous, king-sized headboard and footboard) -exquisite pieces that remain with the family today. He enjoyed athletic competition and also delved into several extracurricular activities including maintaining love for all things that he could drive or ride— cars, motorcycles and bicycles. Because some of his passions required financing, Ray secured his first job at Kinney's Shoes when he was fifteen. He claimed that he was hired because "they assumed" he was of age due to his extraordinary height. Second to his artistic penchants was his love of music and dancing. He reigned supreme on the dance floor, graceful beyond words, considering his stature, while being fully enamored with R&B music throughout his life.
Subsequent to graduation, Ray took a "gap year" while continuing to work and foster his vehicular passions. During this time he became the proud father to daughter Natele, the little love of his life. In 1973 he was invited to attend Dixie College in St. George, Utah on a basketball scholarship. After completing his second year there, Ray returned to the Denver area and secured employment. He worked numerous jobs, to include Gates Rubber Company, UPS, Armour Meat Packing and AT&T where he met his future wife, Vickie Allen.
The past twenty-five years found Ray self-employed, working on home and business restoration projects where he performed magic, turning standard-fare structures into domains of whimsical beauty. He became ill in 2018 and in October 2020 was transitioned to healthcare facilities where he remained and was ultimately called home to rest with our Lord.
Ray Johnson A loving son, brother, grandson, nephew, cousin, father, uncle, grandfather, great-grandfather and loyal friend passed away Thursday, December 16, 2021, succumbing to an extended illness. He is survived by his father Ray H. Johnson; siblings Deborah Johnson-Graham, Bryan (Donna) Johnson, Craig (Darlene) Johnson, Anita Johnson; daughter, Natele M. Humphries; grandsons Malik and Kareem Humphries; great grandchildren Ikaia and Malulani Humphries; aunt Marie Justice, uncles Henry Johnson, Robert Carroll and Bobby and Milton Searcy; and a host of beloved nieces, nephews, cousins and life-long friends with special recognition of Linda Qualls, Gary Downs and Tim Graham. Private Family Celebration of Life Service held on January 13, 2022. An outdoor Summer Memorial Service to be scheduled in June at Ray's favorite outdoor arena -Aurora's Del Mar Park. Details forthcoming.
Family Members
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
Explore more
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
