Ronald Russell Johnson

Ronald Russell Johnson July 24, 1934 - December 25, 2017 Mr. Ronald R Johnson, 83, of St. Augustine, FL died peacefully in his sleep on December 25th, 2017 at his home. He was born in Dearborn, MI as the only child of Russell and Ellen Johnson, both deceased. He attended Michigan State University where he was a member of the Phi Kappa Psi fraternity. Here he majored in hotel and restaurant administration, speech, radio, television and other tangents of broadcasting which provided a substantial groundwork for his future career. Ron worked at several radio and television stations in and around East Lansing while attending school. After his June 1957 graduation he entered the Army and served at Ft. Gordon, GA. Here he utilized his talents and experience in communications in the Southeastern Signal School Television studios where he worked all phases of production. Ron was released from active duty in 1959 and resumed his radio career in Jacksonville, FL. He was called back to active duty in 1961 for a 10 month tour training as a Russian Linguist with the 531st Military Intelligence Detachment. In 1962 he returned to Jacksonville and started with the Channel 4 WJXT News Staff where he was a reporter, news writer and cameraman. He was always proud that WJXT used one of his film clips showing the collapse of the Jacksonville Beach Pier during Hurricane Dora as a promotional ad. In 1971 Ron joined the Jacksonville City Council as a research assistant. He worked his way up to become the Secretary to the Council in 1981 where he served until 1987. After his retirement he turned his attention to his life long passion, aviation. He got the aviation bug as a child when his father would take him for rides in a WACO airplane that he owned. Growing up near one of the Ford aircraft assembly plants during WWII he spent many hours watching airplanes in the area. Now that he was retired he spent most of his time at the airport in St Augustine flying in the local area. Although he owned many different types of aircraft including some high performance aerobatic models, his favorites were the older antique tail draggers that he remembered so fondly from his childhood. Known as the consummate gentleman, he would regale his friends with a keen wit and a friendly persona. There will be a celebration of life for Ron from 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm on Sunday, January 28th, 2018 at the St. Augustine Airport Conference Center, 4730 Casa Cola Way, St. Augustine, FL. Arrangements are under the care of St Johns Family Funeral Home & Crematory.