Richard Alvin Johnson, age 69, of Perry, Iowa and formerly of Fairborn, Ohio, and Marathon, Iowa, died on Feb. 10, 2017, at the Iowa Lutheran Hospital in Des Moines, Iow,a from complications due to Parkinson's.
Richard Johnson was born June 9, 1947, at Eldora, Iowa, to Glenn Elmer and Irene Frances (Belding) Johnson. He graduated from Marathon Consolidated High School, received a bachelor’s degree from Iowa State University and a master’s degree from Michigan State University.
Richard began his career as residence hall director for Iowa Central Community College in Fort Dodge. Upon completion of his master’s degree, he moved to Fairborn, Ohio, where he was residence hall director and later became director of employee benefits at Wright State University. He retired in 2009.
On March 18, 1983, Richard was united in marriage to Cynthia McFadden at St. Mark’s Lutheran Church in Fairborn. As a faithful member of St. Mark’s, he served on the church council, sang in the choir and performed with the bell choir — always willing to lend a helping hand.
Richard was a long-time season ticketholder of the Wright State Raiders basketball team and Dayton Dragons minor league baseball team, ever ready with his glove to catch a foul ball. He remained a loyal fan of Iowa State athletics and kept in contact with many good friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Glenn and Irene Johnson; sister, Karen Duggan; two brothers, Russell and Robert (who died in infancy); and his former spouse, Cynthia McFadden Johnson.
Richard is survived by his daughter, Jennifer McFadden Allen, and husband, Gregory T. Allen, of College Place, Wash.; grandchildren, Elizabeth, Kailen and Temperance; siblings, Darlene Foss and husband, Gary, of Grand Junction, Colo., Marlene Johnson of Perry, Carol Johnson of Perry, Marilyn Johnson of Marathon and Ron Johnson of Perry; two nephews, Kevin Duggan and wife, Darcy, of Buda, Texas, and Brady Duggan of Austin, Texas; cousins; and many friends.
Memorials were given to St. Mark’s Lutheran Church, Grace Lutheran Church and Poland Township Park, Marathon, Iowa – a place dear to Richard. Memorials may be left at the Carris Family Funeral Home in Perry.
Richard’s life was truly a blessing to so many. “Well done, good and faithful servant.” Matthew 25:21.
