GREENFIELD
David R. “Dick” Johnson, 90, of Spring Lake passed away Sunday, Feb. 28, 2016, at Hancock Regional Hospital Hospice.
Born Nov. 28, 1925, in Richmond, he was the son of Ray and Mary Agnes Hughes Johnson, both of whom preceded him in death. On June 1, 1956, at Holy Spirit in Indianapolis, he married Paula Sue Norris Johnson who survives in Greenfield.
He graduated from Warren Central High School in 1944 and received his bachelor’s degree in education and business from Indiana Central University, now known as University of Indianapolis. He later earned his master’s degree in education from Indiana University.
During World War II, Dick served in the Army as a member of the 32nd “Red Arrow” Infantry Division during the Battle of Luzon. As part of the Pacific Theater in the Philippine Campaign, he underwent more than 190 days of fierce combat as part of a reconnaissance platoon during the liberation of Sante Fe on the Villa Verde Trail.
He later served as part of the American Occupation Forces in Japan landing at Sasebo. He was one of the first American units to occupy Hiroshima shortly after the atomic bombings ending the war. In 1948, he joined the Naval Reserve and took part in the American evacuation of the United Nations from Haifa, Palestine, during the Arab-Israeli War. He served on board the U.S.S. Shangri-La and U.S.S. Antietam during the Korean War.
He was a coach and teacher at Freetown High School. He moved to Hillsboro High School, where he served as a principal, coach and teacher. While in Hillsboro, he met his loving wife of 60 years. His family moved to Indianapolis where he was a teacher and coach at Harry E. Wood High School until its closing. He was moved to John Marshall High School until its closing, and he later retired from Indianapolis Public Schools while a teacher at Arlington High School in 1995. He was a member of American Legion Post 119, Disabled American Veterans, Indiana State Teachers Association and Heritage Association. He also was a member of Holy Spirit Catholic Church.
Other survivors include his children, Terry Johnson of Minneapolis, David (Diana) Johnson of Greenfield, Tammy (Jeff) Gregg of Ohio and Daniel (Jenny) Johnson of Greenfield; a brother, Don Johnson of Indianapolis; 12 grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.
Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by a son, Thomas Johnson; a daughter, Diana Johnson; and brothers, Fred and Morris Johnson.
A Mass of Christian burial will be at 10 a.m. Thursday at St. Michael Catholic Church, 519 Jefferson Blvd., Greenfield, with Father Aaron M. Jenkins will be officiating. Burial will follow at Calvary Cemetery with full military rites.
Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Wednesday at Erlewein Mortuary & Crematory, 1484 W. U.S. 40, Greenfield with a rosary at 7 p.m. with Father Riedman.
Memorials may be sent directly to American Legion Post 119, 278 Center St., Greenfield, IN 46140, D.A.V., P.O. Box 14301, Cincinnati, OH 45250, St. Michael Catholic School, 515 Jefferson Blvd, Greenfield, IN 46140 or Holy Spirit Church, 7243 E 10th St., Indianapolis, IN 46219.
Friends may share a memory or send a condolence at erleweinmortuary.com or email condolences to [email protected].