Funeral Services for Howard Rodgers Johnson, 82, former longtime Tishomingo resident, will be held on Wednesday, August 5, 2009, at the Clark Funeral Chapel in Tishomingo with Rev. Kenneth McCarthick officiating. Interment will follow in the Condon Grove Cemetery in Milburn, Oklahoma. Mr. Johnson passed away on Thursday, July 30, 2009, at the Oklahoma Veteran's Center in Norman, Oklahoma. Howard, affectionately known as Howard R., "Little Howard," Sonny & Shorty, was born on August 16, 1926 in Konawa, Oklahoma, to Howard O. Johnson and Flossie E. Rodgers Johnson. He graduated from high school in Wynnewood, Oklahoma, and served in the United States Navy during WWII. He received the WWII Victory Medal, American Campaign Medal, Asiatic Pacific Medal and the Philippine Liberation Campaign Ribbon. He married Mary Ann McCabe on May 13, 1947 in Pauls Valley, Oklahoma, and they owned and operated Johnson's Dairy in the Bullard Chapel area outside of Tishomingo until 1968. In September of 1968, Howard joined the Pipeliners Union 798 and worked in the pipeline field until his retirement in 1988. He was a longtime member of the Local Union 798, the American Legion and the V.F.W. Howard enjoyed life, his many friends, and trout fishing at Blue River. He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Mary Ann on May 10, 1985; his brother, Donald Johnson; his granddaughter, Jill Johnson Andrews; and his second wife, Betty Slaughter Johnson, whom he had married in 1991. Howard is survived by his children: Mike & Patti Johnson, Don & Karen Cravens, Pati Rhea, Tommy & Lu Anne Johnson and Joe Don Johnson; his grandchildren: David & Amy, Jalaina, Ray and Zane Johnson; great-grandson, Darren Cole Johnson; sister-in-law, Venita B. Johnson; nephews: Mark & Diane, Phil and Sheila Johnson; and a host of other relatives. Pallbearers for the service will be: Tommy Johnson, Don Cravens, Glenn McCarthick, Joe Don Johnson, David Johnson and Paul Warden. The family would like to give special thanks to the staff on E-1, Dr. Pam Hiti and Melinda Johnson and to Valir Hospice Care of Oklahoma City. Thank you so much for all your acts of kindness during Dad's stay at the Norman Veterans Center. Under the direction of: CLARK FUNERAL SERVICE OF TISHOMINGO