Leslie "Les" V. Johnson
January 31, 1916 — August 22, 2014
Leslie “Les” V. Johnson, 98, a resident of Northbrook Manor Care Center, Cedar Rapids, died Friday, August 22, 2014, at the care center. Funeral Service: 1:00 p.m. Tuesday, August 26, 2014, at Murdoch Funeral Home & Cremation Center, Marion, by Rev. Michael Frey. The family will greet friends 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Monday, August 25, 2014, at the funeral home in Marion, and one hour prior to the service on Tuesday. Burial: Cedar Memorial Park Cemetery, Cedar Rapids.
Survivors include his son, Frederick “Rick” (Karen) Johnson of Cedar Rapids; daughter, Jean (Bjorn) Hedberg of Borlange, Sweden; 13 grandchildren; and 26 great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his wife; son, Donald Johnson; two grandsons, Joel Haynes, and Nathan Johnson; and brother, Harry Johnson.
Les was born January 31, 1916, in Clermont, Iowa, the son of Peter and Jessie (Yauslin) Johnson. He graduated from Washington High School in Cedar Rapids. Les married Vera Myers on September 6, 1936, in North Liberty. When Vera’s health was failing, Les cared for her in their home for ten years. Vera passed away in 2005. Les worked for Rockwell Collins for 39 years, until his retirement in 1979.
Les was an avid Ham Radio operator and enjoyed building his own radios. He was licensed at the age of 15, and his license remained current with his call sign, WOXO. Les was a member of the CCC (Civilian Conservationist Corp), whose focus was on building bridges. He had a curious mind, and was interested in nature, (especially birds) history, and inventions. Les enjoyed having breakfast and coffee at Bruegger’s Bagels and visiting Squaw Creek Park with his son. He was a lifetime member of Calvary Baptist Church.
Memorials may be directed to the Billy Graham Society in Les’ memory.
Survivors include his son, Frederick “Rick” (Karen) Johnson of Cedar Rapids; daughter, Jean (Bjorn) Hedberg of Borlange, Sweden; 13 grandchildren; and 26 great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his wife; son, Donald Johnson; two grandsons, Joel Haynes, and Nathan Johnson; and brother, Harry Johnson.
Les was born January 31, 1916, in Clermont, Iowa, the son of Peter and Jessie (Yauslin) Johnson. He graduated from Washington High School in Cedar Rapids. Les married Vera Myers on September 6, 1936, in North Liberty. When Vera’s health was failing, Les cared for her in their home for ten years. Vera passed away in 2005. Les worked for Rockwell Collins for 39 years, until his retirement in 1979.
Les was an avid Ham Radio operator and enjoyed building his own radios. He was licensed at the age of 15, and his license remained current with his call sign, WOXO. Les was a member of the CCC (Civilian Conservationist Corp), whose focus was on building bridges. He had a curious mind, and was interested in nature, (especially birds) history, and inventions. Les enjoyed having breakfast and coffee at Bruegger’s Bagels and visiting Squaw Creek Park with his son. He was a lifetime member of Calvary Baptist Church.
Memorials may be directed to the Billy Graham Society in Les’ memory.
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