Norman F. Johnson (Bolivar)'s Obituary
Norman Fredrick Johnson was born to the union of Warren and Louise Johnson in McDonald County, Missouri on October 2, 1944. He passed into the loving arms of our Lord on September 18, 2024, at 4:13 A.M. at his home following a long battle with cancer.
Norman was fondly known to those who were close to him as “Norm”, and to his family, he was “Pops”. Although he didn’t se out to be a comedian, Pops has filled our minds and hearts with many memories of love and laughter.
Norman accepted our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, at the age of 10 at home with his grandmother Elks. At an early age, Norman learned to work on the farm picking apples, peaches, cucumbers, as well as working hauling hay on various farms in Marionville, Missouri where he was raised. He graduated from Marionville High School in 1962 and went on to attend Draughons Business College, where he graduated in 1964.
Later that year, he started working at the MFA Milling Company in the payroll department, where he met the love of his life, Judy Wollard. They were married six months later on May 28th, 1965.
He then started work for Walnut Grove Mobile Homes, where he helped with the moving of mobile homes until January 1966. Judy and he then moved to Kansas City, Missouri so he could attend barber school. He graduated in June of 1966. After his graduation, they moved back to Springfield to be closer to their families and he began working that the Style Barber Shop for the next six years, while starting a family. To this union they had a girl, Angela Kay, and a boy, Randall Wayne. Norman loved his family endlessly.
In 1972, Norman moved his family to Bolivar, Missouri where his wife was raised and her parents still lived. They built their house on a piece of her parent’s property and settled in to raise the family, and where they still lived when Norman passed away. When they moved to Bolivar, Norman began working for his brother-in-law doing carpentry work and building houses until 1975, when an opportunity arose for him to work as a salesman for Overhead Door Company in Springfield, Missouri until 1990. Later in 1990, he was offered a job as the Maintenance Supervisor at Citizens Memorial Healthcare until 2006 when he was forced to retire due to health reasons.
In 2007, he started barbering part-time at the Modern Barber Shop in Bolivar until 2012 when he had to retire for good due to his declining health.
Norman was very active in the athletic department where his children went to school at Bolivar High School. He was president of the Liberator Booster Club for 4 years and active with all kids that played sports. Norman was very active in his church, Bolivar First Assembly of God, in which he became a member in the 1970s. Norman served as a deacon for many years and still attended until his health failed. Norman was also a very avid hunter and fisherman, and two of his greatest hobbies. He loved to go hunting with his son Randall and grandsons, Jordon, Austin, and Parker, whether it was hunting deer or squirrels or going fishing, he had the time of his life. He also took several hunting trips with friends and loved every minute of it.
Preceding him in death were his parents, Warren and Louise Johnson, a brother, Jimmy Johnson, and his in-laws, Leland and Jewell Wollard, and two brothers-in-law, Don and Deryal Wollard.
Norman is survived by his wife of 59 years, Judy Wollard Johson of the home, a daughter Angela Nord of Bolivar, a son and daughter-in-law, Randall and Julie Johnson of Oklahoma City, OK. Three grandsons, Jordon Combs and his wife Katy Combs of Nixa, Auston Combs of Bolivar, and Parker Johnson of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, one granddaughter, Paige Velasco, and husband Adrian of Edmond, Oklahoma and one great-grandson, Koda Combs, son of Jordon and Katy Combs. His brother and sister-in-law, Bob and Lindy Johnson of Aurora, Missouri, and brother Ernie Johnson, of California. Along with a host of cousins, nieces and nephews.
He was a devoted husband and father. Norman will be tremendously missed by all who knew and love him.
A memorial service for Norman will be held Monday, September 23, 2024, at the Butler Funeral Home in Bolivar starting at 11:00 A.M. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service on Monday starting at 10:00 A.M.
In lieu of flowers donations may be made through his name to the Central Care Cancer Center, the Carrie Babb Cancer Center, or to CMH Hospice, all in Bolivar, Missouri.
To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Norman Fredrick Johnson please visit our Sympathy Store.
What’s your fondest memory of Norman?
What’s a lesson you learned from Norman?
Share a story where Norman's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Norman you’ll never forget.
How did Norman make you smile?