Former Oxford resident Raymond Carl Johnson took his place in Heaven on February 28, 2021 from Canadian Lakes, Michigan. Ray was born in Burlington, Colorado,
father, Raymond “King” Carl Johnson, served as State Auditor for the State of Nebraska for 32 years. He cherished his summers at his grandmother’s “Nixon Home” in Bellaire, MI, helping in Emma Nixon’s large gardens and fishing, Bellaire and Intermediate lakes. He continued to frequently visit and fish Lake Bellaire throughout his long life.
Ray studied engineering at University of Nebraska, then worked for 55 years at Turner Brothers, Inc., where he designed and serviced assembly line equipment. Ray was a mechanical wizard, often called in to solve “unsolvable” mechanical problems, particularly for the auto industry. The high point of his career was in 1976 when he worked for 2 months in the Soviet Russia setting up assembly line equipment for V-16 truck engines (attending underground churches and handing out Bibles that he smuggled in).
Ray was a lifelong organic gardener and health food advocate (except for his love for vanilla ice cream). He loved his wife “Ruthie” and family of 6 children, farming, fishing, vanilla ice cream, all things mechanical, church fellowship, and his Lord. He lived his faith, loving, forgiving, and helping others. He was a member of Lakeland Trails Baptist Church of Pinckney, where a memorial service will be held April 5 at 11:00 am. For details about the service and Zoom connection please call 1-734-878-9431.
Memorials: In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Ray can be made to the Bellaire Historical Society, 202 N Bridge St., Bellaire, MI 49615, or the Cuba Bible and Medical Supplies Project, checks payable to Live Global, Project Number 0826511, PO Box 8585, Harrisburg, PA 17105. Please leave a message of comfort for Ray’s family at 1-877-231-7900, or sign his guestbook at www.borekjennings.com.
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We were neighbors on Ray Road to Ray & Ruth. Ray shared with us his plan to take Bibles into Russia, asking us to pray for his safety & those who needed the bibles most would receive them, which we did. He didn’t hide the bibles, they were laid on top inside his luggage, yet never seen by the Russian guards as they waved him through customs. That miracle & his account of how the bibles were distributed was a blessing to hear. We loved Ray & Ruth. They were the best neighbors, hosting many neighborhood gatherings. Ray’s love for the Lord was evident in his talk and his walk. He was a man of integrity. His entrance into Heaven must have been spectacular as he heard, “Well done good & faithful servant, enter into the House of The Lord”