Roll Call Tribute
Ned Johnson '50 July 22, 2016 3:53 PM updated: July 22, 2016 3:55 PM
Aderhold Funeral Home obituary
808 S. Reagan Street
West, Texas 76691
(254) 826-5321
Ned Johnson
February 28, 1917 - July 8, 2016
Ned Johnson, 99, of Leroy passed away peacefully early Friday afternoon, July 8, 2016 at St. Catherine Center in Waco.
To celebrate his life, a graveside service will be held 10:00 a.m. Saturday, July 30, 2016 at the Gerald Cemetery near Leroy, with a reception to follow at the Leroy Church.
Ned was born on a ranch February 28, 1917 near Jal, New Mexico and raised in Pecos, Texas until he was five. He was one of seven children born to Wiley Richard and Lydia Nichols Johnson. After the death of his father in 1922, he and his mother and six brothers and sisters moved to the I.O.O.F. Widows and Orphans home in Corsicana where he lived and attended school until graduation in 1935.
After graduation he received a football scholarship to Daniel Baker College, now Howard Payne. Ned loved baseball and left to play professional baseball at the minor league level. Between seasons he worked for the Civilian Conservation Corps in the Davis Mountains.
Ned served his country proudly in the US Navy after the attack at Pearl Harbor and became a Signalman First Class on the USS Shaw. He served primarily in the Pacific Theatre and was awarded the World War II Medal, American Campaign Medal, Asiatic Pacific Campaign Medal, Philippine Liberation Medal, Philippine Presidential Unit Citation, a Combat Action Medal and five Bronze Stars.
It was during the war that Ned met the love of his life, Amelia Ruby LeGros, the sister of a shipmate. It was a romance that lasted 70 years, until she passed away in November 2012.
After WWII, Ned graduated from Texas A&M University with a BS in Agriculture and subsequently worked as an appraiser at the Texas Veteran’s Land Board. Ned became a licensed real estate appraiser and broker, owning his own business, Ned Johnson Land Company. Before retiring at 91, he was believed to have been the oldest active real estate professional in Texas.
Ned was an avid golfer and shot his age at 86. He was active in farm and ranch operations until 96. He was a lifetime member (81 years) of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the IOOF Ex-Students Assoc. He was a longtime and faithful member of the Leroy Church. He loved and enjoyed his family, friends, and ranching. His favorite sentiment was: “Enjoy Life!”
Ned was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Ruby; parents, Wiley and Lydia; sisters, Louise and Evelyn; and brothers, Wilbur, B.F., Laud and Bryan.
Survivors include his daughter, Cindie Lehr and husband Larry; grandson, Pierce Lehr and wife Megan; great-grandchildren, Harrison, Bennett, Charles, Frances, and Rhett; and many nieces, nephews, and friends.
Memorials may be made to the Leroy Church, PO Box 126, Leroy, Texas 76654.
808 S. Reagan Street
West, Texas 76691
(254) 826-5321
Ned Johnson
February 28, 1917 - July 8, 2016
Ned Johnson, 99, of Leroy passed away peacefully early Friday afternoon, July 8, 2016 at St. Catherine Center in Waco.
To celebrate his life, a graveside service will be held 10:00 a.m. Saturday, July 30, 2016 at the Gerald Cemetery near Leroy, with a reception to follow at the Leroy Church.
Ned was born on a ranch February 28, 1917 near Jal, New Mexico and raised in Pecos, Texas until he was five. He was one of seven children born to Wiley Richard and Lydia Nichols Johnson. After the death of his father in 1922, he and his mother and six brothers and sisters moved to the I.O.O.F. Widows and Orphans home in Corsicana where he lived and attended school until graduation in 1935.
After graduation he received a football scholarship to Daniel Baker College, now Howard Payne. Ned loved baseball and left to play professional baseball at the minor league level. Between seasons he worked for the Civilian Conservation Corps in the Davis Mountains.
Ned served his country proudly in the US Navy after the attack at Pearl Harbor and became a Signalman First Class on the USS Shaw. He served primarily in the Pacific Theatre and was awarded the World War II Medal, American Campaign Medal, Asiatic Pacific Campaign Medal, Philippine Liberation Medal, Philippine Presidential Unit Citation, a Combat Action Medal and five Bronze Stars.
It was during the war that Ned met the love of his life, Amelia Ruby LeGros, the sister of a shipmate. It was a romance that lasted 70 years, until she passed away in November 2012.
After WWII, Ned graduated from Texas A&M University with a BS in Agriculture and subsequently worked as an appraiser at the Texas Veteran’s Land Board. Ned became a licensed real estate appraiser and broker, owning his own business, Ned Johnson Land Company. Before retiring at 91, he was believed to have been the oldest active real estate professional in Texas.
Ned was an avid golfer and shot his age at 86. He was active in farm and ranch operations until 96. He was a lifetime member (81 years) of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the IOOF Ex-Students Assoc. He was a longtime and faithful member of the Leroy Church. He loved and enjoyed his family, friends, and ranching. His favorite sentiment was: “Enjoy Life!”
Ned was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Ruby; parents, Wiley and Lydia; sisters, Louise and Evelyn; and brothers, Wilbur, B.F., Laud and Bryan.
Survivors include his daughter, Cindie Lehr and husband Larry; grandson, Pierce Lehr and wife Megan; great-grandchildren, Harrison, Bennett, Charles, Frances, and Rhett; and many nieces, nephews, and friends.
Memorials may be made to the Leroy Church, PO Box 126, Leroy, Texas 76654.
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