Charles "Pud" Johnson (Lebanon)'s Obituary
Charles Lavern Johnson, son of Richard Bland and Rachel Bohannon Johnson, was born July 30, 1943, near Lebanon, Missouri. He departed this life Friday, May 1, 2015, in his home, near Lebanon, Missouri, at the age of seventy-one years, nine months, and one day.
On October 1, 1966, he was united in marriage to Betty Jean Phillips, and to this union four daughters and one son were born.
He was preceded in death by his parents; and five brothers, Everett, Junior, Richard, Carl, and Vernon Johnson.
Charles, or “Pud” as he was called by his family and friends, is survived by his loving wife of forty-eight years, Betty Jean, of the home; four daughters, Regina Williams, and her husband, Eric, Felicia Hicks, and Ed Green, Erica Johnson, and her fiancé, Randy Bradley, and Jessica Nichols, & her husband, Chris, all of Lebanon, Missouri; a son, James Johnson, of Lebanon, Missouri; thirteen grandchildren, Caitlin, Kylie, Dusty, Cameron, Jordon, Jacob, Zachary, Emma, Ava, Rachel, Amy, McKenzie, and Haven; two great-grandchildren, Kaylynn and Kennedy; a brother, Don Johnson, and his wife, Barbara, of Lebanon, Missouri; a sister, Anna Lou Jones, and her husband, John, of Bolivar, Missouri; several nieces and nephews; as well as a host of other relatives and friends.
He was born and raised in the Lebanon area, and then entered the military as a young man. He served his country faithfully in the United States Army from February 9, 1967 until February 25, 1969, and was part of the transportation team. After being honorably discharged he returned to Lebanon and to his wife, Betty Jean, and they made their home near Lebanon, and lovingly raised their family. Charles was employed as a mechanic by the Lebanon R-III Schools for thirty-nine years, and received numerous service awards for his years of excellent work for the schools. He also was employed by York Service Center in Lebanon, where he worked for seventeen years.
Charles had professed his belief in Christ and followed the Baptist faith throughout the years.
He was a member of several Citizen Band Radio clubs and enjoyed visiting with his C.B. friends. He was an accomplished skater and had won several awards for his skating talent. In his spare time he enjoyed hunting, fishing, and watching NASCAR and wrestling. His family was very important to him and he especially enjoyed his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Charles was a loving husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, uncle, and was a caring neighbor and friend. We celebrate his life and know that he will be fondly remembered as a devoted family man, a hard worker, a patriotic citizen, and a good friend to many.
Memorial Donations to Special Olympics may be made through the funeral home.
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