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Raymond Gordon Johnson

 

Born March 23, 1915; Married July 17, 1940 (Karin Ruth Dahlin, d. Dec 12, 1982) ;
Married 1985 (Shiela); Died December 24, 1999

Children: Raymond Gordon Johnson, Jr., October 30, 1942;  Randall Lawrence Johnson,
June 23, 1947 (d. June 26, 1947); Arlis Ruth Johnson Kramer, September 18, 1948 (d. April 20, 2011)

 

Raymond Gordon Johnson was the third child of Oscar and Ruth Johnson,
born March 23,1915 in Chicago, Ill.  At age 2 he moved with the family to
a farm near La Porte, Indiana, to enjoy the benefits of country living.
 In 1928 the family moved to Michigan City, Indiana, where Raymond graduated
from Michigan City High School in 1933. Following graduation and two years
of employment at Portis Hat Factory, he left Michigan City for Bridgeport,
Connecticut, to join his brother Gilbert.  He worked primarily during those
depression years as a salesman for Dugan Brothers Bakery.

 

In 1938 he met Karin Ruth Dahlin, and they were married on July 17,
1940.  They purchased the house in Milford, Connecticut, which has been home
ever since and moved in on Pearl Harbor Day, December 7, 1941.  In support
of the defense effort, Ray joined Sikorsky Aircraft in 1942.  During these
years they were active in the church life of the Baptist Temple in Bridgeport.

 

A son, Raymond Jr., was born to Karin and Raymond on October 30, 1942.
Their daughter, Arlis Ruth, was born on September 18, 1948.

 

As the children grew older, the family moved their church membership
closer to home to Grace Baptist Church in Milford, Connecticut.  Here
Ray directed the choir for nearly twenty years.

 

In 1973, with 30 years at Sikorsky, Ray took an early retirement
and established his own business, DeRiter Services (that's "Retired"
spelled backwards). He serves as a Manufacturer's Representative for
several small manufacturing companies and also as a distributor of machine
shop work to various independent machinists. He continues to be active in
this business, preferring activity to a rocking chair retirement.

 

In May, 1979 Karin was diagnosed as having cancer.  This was followed
by surgery, radiation and another year of fairly good health.  The cancer
was discovered again in 1981.  Following 18 months of chemotherapy and
gradually deteriorating health, Karin died at Connecticut Hospice on
December 12, 1982.

 

Ray continues to enjoy good health, runs the business, plays with
his grandchildren, and serves as trustee and handyman at Grace Baptist
Church.

 

- Raymond Johnson, 1984

 

Ray, Jr. adds the following about himself and his sister:

 

Ray, Jr., was born in Bridgeport, Conn., and grew up in nearby Milford,
Conn., attending Milford public schools.  He graduated from Worcester
Polytechnic Institute in 1964, majoring in electrical engineering.  He joined
Sikorsky Aircraft, working in the design and testing of automatic pilots and
electronic flight controls for helicopters.  He married Ruth Anne Walton in
1969.  They have a son, Eric Daniel, born September 10, 1975. Ruth currently
serves as Children's Director at Grace Baptist Church, Milford, Conn.

 

Arlis was also born in Bridgeport and raised in Milford.  She graduated
from Nyack College in 1970, with a major in vocal music.  In 1972 she married
Charles Edward Kramer, whom she met at Nyack.  They have three children:
Karin Eleta, born April 9, 1977; David Charles, born March 31, 1981; and
Lisa Ruth, born April 12, 1984.  Arlis is currently the Music Director at
Grace Baptist Church, Milford, Conn.

 

- Ray Johnson, Jr., 1984


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