Roger D. Johnson

Funeral Services for Roger D. Johnson will be conducted from the North Park Assembly of God Church in Holdrege, Nebraska on Saturday, May 3, 2008 at 2:30 p.m. with Reverend Alex Brodine and Reverend Bruce Riddle, officiating. Interment will be in the Moses Hill Cemetery in Phelps County, Nebraska with Military Honors provided by the American Legion Post #66.

Roger DeWayne Johnson, 79 years of age, of Holdrege, passed away on Tuesday, April 29, 2008 at the Christian Homes in Holdrege. Roger was born March 3, 1929 at Holdrege, the fourth of five children of Walter Ludwig and Esther Marie Victoria (Larson) Johnson. He received his education from Loomis Public Schools. Following his education, Roger was inducted into the United States Army, serving his country until his honorable discharge on November 23, 1951.

Following his service, Roger returned home to Phelps County and engaged in farming and well drilling. He also drove the Loomis School bus for several years. On August 14, 1955 he was united in marriage to Dorothy A. Nelson and to this union four children were born: Jeffrey, Janice, Joan and Janeal. The family made their home in Holdrege, where Roger was employed as an Officer with the Holdrege Police Department from 1958 – 1970. On October 29, 1969, Roger was shot and injured while on duty working a robbery at the Strong Brothers Chevy Dealership. He was also employed at Allmond Brothers from 1960 – 1974. In February of 1974, Roger and his nephew, Dan McElvain went into partnership and founded J & M Welding, where Roger continue to serve his vast array of customers until his retirement in March of 1994.

He was a member of the North Park Assembly of God Church, where he was active in many capacities including: serving on the church board, sang in the choir and active with Royal Rangers. Roger was also a member and past President of the Holdrege Lions Club from 1979 - 1980, member of the Christian Layman's Wednesday Prayer Breakfast group, member of the Holdrege Volunteer Fire Department, active with Campus Life, involved with Youth For Christ and volunteered with Meals-On-Wheels for several years. He was an avid Husker Football Fan and enjoyed attending his grandchildren's sporting events.

He leaves to mourn his passing his wife, Dorothy of Holdrege; one son, Jeff Johnson and his wife, Pamela of Holdrege; three daughters: Janice Hamilton and her husband, Tim of Albion, Nebraska, Joan Perkins and her husband, Calvin of Beaver City, Nebraska and Janeal Schroeder and her husband, Kevin of Holdrege; nine grandchildren, including a grandson, serving in Iraq; three great-grandchildren; two brothers: Ralph Johnson of Salem, Oregon and Royce Johnson of Holdrege; one sister, Carolyn McElvain and her husband, Bill of Kearney, Nebraska; and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents and one sister, Rachel Miserentino.

Roger will lie in state at the Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home in Holdrege on Friday, May 2, 2008 from 1:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. with the family greeting from 7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.

A memorial has been established in his memory and will be designated at a later time.

Expressions of caring and kindness can be sent to the family at www.nelsonbauerfh.com

The Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home in Holdrege is in charge of the arrangements.