Orland Shirley (Johnny) Johnson (1920-2007)

JOHNSON, MALAND, JACOBS, STRUSKY, REILLY, STONE, STOLL, SEVERSON

Posted By: Ames Tribune
Date: 11/27/2007 at 20:32:25

THE AMES TRIBUNE, Ames, Story County, Iowa, Tuesday, November 27, 2007.

Nov. 17, 1920-Nov. 24, 2007

Orland Shirley (Johnny) Johnson, 87, died Saturday, Nov. 24, at Bethany Manor in Story City, caused by a lengthy and debilitating neurological disease.

A memorial service will be at a later date. Inurnment will be in Bethany Lutheran Church cemetery in Kelley.

Orland Shirley (Johnny) Johnson was born Nov. 17, 1920, in Ames, to Martin Seren and Margaret Selvie (Maland) Johnson. He lived and farmed with his family in the Kelley-Huxley area until his graduation in 1938 from Huxley High School.

He married the true love of his life, Thelma Marie Jacobs, formerly of Story City, May 24, 1939. Sadly, Thelma died July 30, 2003. The two were married more than 64 years.

He was initiated as a union plumber Sept. 17, 1947. He became a lifetime member of the Plumbers and Steamfitters Local 33 in September 1997. He took great pride in his trade, having worked on and supervised the installation of the plumbing in many of the largest construction projects built in and around Ames.

They resided in Ames until he retired in 1982. At that time, they retired to Harlingen, Texas, and lived there for the past 20 years. While living in Texas, one of their greatest joys was spending time with their wonderful new friends. They spent countless evenings attending the wide variety of sporting events involving athletes from the two local high schools, the Harlingen Cardinals and Hawks. He returned to Iowa shortly before his death to be closer to his Iowa family and friends.

He will be greatly missed by family, friends and all those who knew and loved him. He was a common man with an uncommon compassion, kindness and generosity. He was a devout Christian and lifelong member of Bethesda Lutheran Church in Ames.

He is survived by one daughter, Marie S. Strusky; and one son and daughter-in-law, Ronald D. and Janice A. Johnson, both of Colorado Springs, Colo. They had three grandchildren, Caron Lynn Reilly, of Colorado Springs, Michael James Strusky, of Glen Allen, Va., and Holly Marie Stone, of Manchester, N.H.; two great-grandsons, Dylan and Tyler Stone; four great-granddaughters, Brynn and Kyra Reilly, and Samantha and Logan Strusky; and numerous nieces and nephews. He also leaves behind his beloved sister and dearest friend, Betty Ann Stoll, of Ames.

He was preceded in death by his parents and his youngest sister, Ruth Marie Severson, of Huxley.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to The Boys and Girls Clubs of Harlingen, PO Box 1982, Harlingen, Texas 78551, or Bethesda Lutheran Church in Ames.

Bacon Funeral Home and Crematory of Nevada is in charge of arrangements.

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