Mr. Paul Douglas Johnson

October 18, 1917 - November 29, 2008

Paul Douglas Johnson, 91 of North Vernon passed away on Saturday, November 29, 2008 at St. Vincent Jennings Hospital.

Born October 18, 1917 in Oxford, Indiana, he was the son of the late Cecil and Pearl Samuels Johnson. He was a 1936 graduate of North Vernon High School, a member of Zion Baptist Church, Veterans of Foreign Wars, and the American Legion. Doug was a former member of the North Vernon Baptist Church where he had served on the board of trustees and had acted as the lead usher. He was a past member of the North Vernon Lions Club for 22 years. There he had served four times as President, four times as Deputy District Governor, and once as Regional Chairman. In 1991 he received the Melvin Jones Fellow Award for dedicated humanitarian service.

Mr. Johnson was a Navy Veteran of WWII and Korea, serving as Gunner Mate 1st Class.

He worked on the railroad for 37 years. In 1978 he retired as conductor from the B & O and C & O Railroads. He was later employed by Carnes Men's Store of which he enjoyed. He had also enjoyed basketball and football. He loved being in the water swimming or diving and had been a certified Red Cross Life Guard.

He first marriage ended in divorce and he later married Marguerita Huffman in 1951. She preceded him in death in 1993. He later married Vera Ross. She survives.

Mr. Johnson is survived by his wife, an estranged daughter and estranged grandson and granddaughter, two step sons Michael Huffman and Richard Ross of North Vernon, three step grandsons, Dr. Jim Huffman, David Huffman, and Dr. Ryan Ross, one step granddaughter, Dr. Julie Johnson, three step great-granddaughters, three step great-grandsons, and three nieces.

He was preceded in death by his father at age 9 and his mother preceded him in 1970. A sister Lou Johnson also precedes him in death.

Funeral Information

A funeral service will be held at noon on Tuesday, December 2, 2008 at Sawyer - Pickett Funeral Home. Visitation will be from 9 AM until the time of the service. Burial will be at Vernon Cemetery.

Donations Information

Memorials may be made through the funeral home to the Jennings Villa or Zion Baptist Church.