Roger Johnson

Kerrville ROGER STANLEY JOHNSON, M.D., a physician and attorney, died on Sunday, May 2, 2010 in Kerrville, TX. He was born on April 29, 1924 in St. Paul, MN. A Fellow of the American College of Surgeons, Dr. Johnson received his undergraduate and medical degrees from the University of Minnesota. He practiced medicine for 33 years in Minnesota and Corpus Christi before moving to Dallas in 1984.

After retiring as a trauma surgeon, Dr. Johnson subsequently embarked on a second career as an attorney, graduating from Southern Methodist University School of Law in 1991. He and his wife, Cheryl, moved to Kerrville in 2002.

During World War II, Dr. Johnson flew 35 combat missions over enemy territory in Europe as a crew member of a B17 Flying Fortress heavy bomber and attained the rank of First Lieutenant. He was appointed by Pres. Ronald Reagan to the Presidents Committee on Mental Retardation. His professional memberships included the State Bar of Texas Diplomat, American Board of Surgery Texas Medical Association American Medical Association Fellow, American College of Legal Medicine American Bar Association Kerr County Bar Association.

Noting a great need during one of his travels, Dr. Johnson designed a hospital that was built in Cayman Brac, British West Indies. He raised funds and procured equipment, organized committees and assisted in the construction of the hospital, which was then donated debtfree to be administered by the local government. Elsewhere, Dr. Johnson initiated a volunteer surgical program promoting American goodwill and performing surgeries in Penang Hospital, Malaysia.

Dr. Johnson authored a book, Wounded Fortress, about the fate of 2nd Lt. Tommy Kohlhaas, a downed American airman during World War II who was the brother of his dear friend, Dr. John Kohlhaas. The book also included some of Dr. Johnsons own recollections from his wartime service, including the story of the quotBicycle Thiefquot that was the basis of a Paul Harvey segment entitled quotThe Rest of the Story.quot

A devoted family man, Dr. Johnson supported all his family members with encouragement, wisdom, gentleness and love. All will remember his sense of humor, his tenacious determination, his love of learning, his utmost integrity, his wise counsel, his generous nature and the shining example of his life, lived fully and characterized by excellence. We give all our thanks to God for blessing us with his presence. Dr. Johnson was a member of Highland Park Presbyterian Church.

Dr. Johnson is survived by his wife, Cheryl McDowell Johnson. He was preceded in death by his parents, Andrew Brandt and Bessie Mary Canniff Johnson, his sister, Myrtle Ellen Johnson his two brothers, Arthur MacKenzie Johnson and Russell James Johnson his first wife, Marilyn Jeanne Clark Johnson, with whom he has four surviving children: his daughters, Diana Lee Brooks, of Phoenix, AZ Sheree Lynn McCall and husband George, of Irving, TX Laurie Jean Goodnight and husband David, of Kerrville, TX and son, Randy Clark Johnson, of Gatesville, TX. He is survived by 7 grandchildren: Ryan, Tarin and Kienan Goodnight Sarah and Stephanie McCall and Jamie and Justin Brooks. Dr. Johnson is also survived by his beloved stepdaughters, Anne Catherine Savage, of Cambridge, MA, and Elizabeth Savage, of Dallas, TX, sisterinlaw, Ethel Johnson, of St. Paul, MN, nieces and nephews, and his lifelong, loyal friend, L.L. Hassie, of St Paul, MN.

A private memorial service will be held at Arlington National Cemetery where Dr. Johnson will be buried with military honors.

Memorial donations may be made to the Hill Country CASA, Inc., P O Box 290965, Kerrville, TX 78029, or to a charity of the donors choice.

Arrangements are under the direction and personal care of the professionals at Kerrville Funeral Home, 830 8955111.

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