Ronald John Johnson

Ronald John Johnson, 87, passed away on Monday, September 9, peacefully in his home. Ron was born in Youngstown, OH on July 4, 1937 to Irene Chumita and John Johnson. In his early years, he enjoyed baseball, (once missed a pitch from his son Jay which hit his mouth and was the start of his neatly trimmed mustache and beard), played the trumpet, was a drum major and practiced Dixieland band at a neighbor’s house, delivering newspapers, gardening for his Mom. At age 14, his father was ill and as the oldest of four children, Ron went to work to support his Mom and siblings. He graduated from Chaney High School and the University of Hard Knocks of Life. His work career began in a Grocery store in the Meat Department. He became very skilled as a butcher and was promoted to district manager of Meat Departments for Kmart Foods, then at Martin’s Foods which moved him to IN. He transferred to Omaha, NE to serve as the Director of Meat Department for Super Valu Grocery Wholesaler. This is where he met Diane and they were married in 1984 and the same year transferred with the company to Atlanta, settling in Marietta. Ron seized the opportunity to purchase a small meat specialty company in downtown Atlanta, Castleberry’s Meats. He toiled day and night, pouring his heart and soul into the business to make it successful. He sold the second facility in 2006 and retired. He then poured his attention, love and care into helping friends in the Oaks in Marietta. He loved his home close to Kennesaw Mountain and enjoyed hiking and learning about the history of the Civil War. He was delighted when he found a live Hotchkiss shell in his backyard. He loved Notre Dame football, first taking his children to games in South Bend, IN and season tickets to basketball. He avidly followed the Notre Dame football team all his life, totally absorbed, thoroughly animated, jumping up and down from his seat! It was a joy just to watch him so excited. He loved cooking, reading cookbooks especially from Youngstown, OH was a pastime, and he prepared his favorite dishes, stuffed cabbage rolls (taught by his mother), chicken paprikash for his children which they called Chup Chup, egg cheese and always had a big pot of homemade chicken soup. He instilled strong work ethics, respect for others and established a strong spiritual upbringing for his four children. He loved gardening; raising eggplants, peppers, etc. and lemon trees that he started from seeds brought back from a wonderful trip to Italy with Unity North Atlanta. He always loved music and started with the choir at Unity North Atlanta, moving to RUMC where he became a member of the Prime Time Singers, Sanctuary Choir under the direction of Michael Cromwell and now with Angela Lepkofker and in the Michael O’Neal Summer Singers. He loved the music and the people. He always studied the music religiously before every practice and adored being in the Sunday services and all Concerts. Dressing up in his tux and participating with the choir brought him great joy. The choirs and people were his passion and kept him young and involved with his mind. His faith and love of God grew significantly through this worship. He is survived by his wife, Diane, his sister, Karen, his daughter Eileen Thilman (Mike), his sons Jay (Karen), Ronald Scott and Dan; grandchildren Haley and Abby, his grandchildren Kari Ponto (Jon), great grandchildren, Zoe and Grayson, and grandson Jeff Thilman (Sarah and a new great grandchild). His Celebration of Life will be held Thursday, September 26 at 2 PM in the Roswell United Methodist Church chapel; reception following the ceremony. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the RUMC Worship Arts Center in his memory.

Ronald John Johnson

July 4, 1937 - September 9, 2024