Obituary for Robert J. Johnson

 United States

  • Date Of Birth: September 21, 1923
  • Date Of Death: March 10, 2008
  • State: Michigan

Age 84, passed away on Monday, March 10, 2008 at his son’s home in Fremont after

10 months of declining health. Bob was born on September 21, 1923 in South Bend, Indiana the only child of Valmer Fremont Johnson and Isabel McCrory Johnson. Bob Johnson, with his wife Donna, owned and operated Portland Motor Sales for 30 years through 1981. Bob was a member of the First Congregational Church of Portland.

Bob served in the United States Army during World War II serving as a military vehicle mechanic in Germany on the frontlines with the Blood and Fire Division (63 infantry Division – B. Battery 173rd Field Artillery Battalion). .

Shortly after his return from the war, after his father Val retired, Bob eventually took over ownership and

management of a new Chevrolet dealership which also incorporated Oldsmobile at 425 E. Grand River Avenue. He was elected by other dealers in his district to serve on the Flint Zone Dealers Planning Commission.

He was a charter member of the Kiwanis Club of Portland. As a Kiwanean, he was the institutional

Representative of the Portland Boy Scout Troop. He and a core of others had a vision for and developed

a two year rodeo event developing a world class rodeo grounds on the flats just off from the Grand River in the mid 1950s. Robert was a Mason since 1946.

Robert was an avid fisherman, outdoorsman and golfer. He loved sports of all kinds but particularly football, basketball, baseball and car racing. He and his wife Donna, were married for 56 years until Donna’s death in 2000. They became enthusiastic horsemen. Bob was involved as one of the founders of the Portland Riding Club and was the President for a number of years. He also served on the board of the MAWHC Michigan Association of Western Horse Clubs.

In May 2001, Bob married his childhood sweetheart from Glenn, Michigan and they were happily married

until his death.

Bob was preceded in death by his parents. Surviving are his second wife of 7 years; Marilyn; 4 children, Barbara Ann Johnson of Clearwater, Fl, Bill (Jan) Johnson, of Fremont, MI, Marilyn McDowell (Rick) of El Paso, Tx, David (Dr. Monica Moyer) Johnson of Laingsburg, MI ; Grandchildren, Michael, Matt, and Brian, Andrew Johnson, Jenny (Pastor Chris) Starr, Rebecca Sue (Jamie) Rivera, Chris, Paul and Julie Johnson. There are also 7 great grandchildren.

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