Richard Johnson

Richard Lee Johnson, Sr., 93 of Higginsville, Missouri passed away on Tuesday, July 23, 2024, at his home surrounded by family. Richard was born Wednesday, December 31, 1930 in Higginsville to the late August Johnson and the late Goldie (Jones) Johnson. He married Barbara (Alpers) Johnson on July 1, 1956 and she preceded him in death on May 13, 2023. Richard was an eighth grade graduate of Jennings School House outside of Higginsville. Richard then went straight into coal mining until he enlisted in the United States Army Air Corps, which later became the Air Force. Richard was an Airman Third Class upon honorably discharging in 1953. He was proud of his time in the Air Force as a Fireman III. He was a veteran of the Korean War and received multiple medals and ribbons, including the Korean Service Medal and the United National Service Medal. Richard was proud to be an American Veteran. After discharging from the Air Force, Richard worked as a local automotive mechanic for 39 years. He worked for local dealerships and garages, even working for Skip Short for a period of time. Richard was very proud of how clean he kept his tools and always providing top quality mechanical work to customers. He loved to garden and fish. Richard enjoyed playing pitch, Dominos and UNO with family and friends. In the summers, Richard loved to have barbecues with family and throw horseshoes. Richard was a member of Immanuel Lutheran Church in Higginsville. He was a very mild-mannered guy with great patience and understanding. His children remember how slow to anger and nonjudgmental he was. Richard will be missed by all those who loved and knew him. Surviving his passing are one son, Rick (Carey) Johnson of Higginsville; two daughters; Meta Jean Johnson of Higginsville and Laurie (Cliff) Payne of Grain Valley, MO; one brother, Lawrence (Carol) Johnson of Higginsville; one sister, Lorene (Don) Himes of Oklahoma City, OK; four grandchildren, Sadie (Kody Miller) Brown, Cabot (Anna) Brown, Peyton (Christina) Johnson, Fletcher Johnson; and seven great-grandchildren with one on the way. Richard was preceded in death by his parents, wife, Barbara Johnson, three brothers and three sisters. The family will receive friends from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM on Monday, July 29, 2024, at Immanuel Lutheran Church. A funeral service will follow at 11:00 AM. Interment with military honors will be in the Missouri Veterans Cemetery, Higginsville, MO. Casket bearers: Chad Alpers, Shannon Alpers, Cabot Brown, Eric Cothern, Butch Johnson, Fletcher Johnson, Peyton Johnson, Roy Johnson, Ryan Johnson, Kody Miller. Memorial contributions may be sent to Immanuel Lutheran Church 1501 Lipper St. Higginsville, MO 64037.

Richard Johnson

December 31, 1930 - July 23, 2024