Teddy Ray Johnson

Teddy "Ted" Ray Johnson, aged 92, of Yukon, Oklahoma, peacefully passed away at the OKC VA Hospital on November 3, 2024. Ted was born on April 25, 1932, to Lena (Callahan) and Ernest Johnson in Pell City, Alabama. He attended the Pell City School District and worked at the local sawmill. He joined the United States Navy on September 29, 1951, and served until September 26, 1955. He was a Korean War Veteran, serving on the Baltimore-class heavy cruiser USS Los Angeles CA 1-35 during the war, and later on the USS Wahkiakum County LST-1162 in Cuba. He loved being in the Navy, and serving his country was a great honor that he cherished throughout his life. On August 31, 2024, he was honored by receiving the Ambassador for Peace Medal by the Ministry of Patriots and Veteran Affairs Republic of Korea.

On May 10, 1953, he married the love of his life, Kathryn Delores (Milton). They made a home in Mesquite, Texas, and welcomed a daughter in 1964 and a son in 1970. He worked as a bus driver for the downtown Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex. A few years later, he started work as a truck driver for Western Gillette until he was transferred to Yukon, Oklahoma, where he worked for Roadway until he retired in May of 1994. He loved his years trucking and had many stories to tell. He wouldn't sit still for too long. After retirement, he began driving the van for the Dale Robertson Center in 1995 for several years. He was also a member there and went everyday they were open up until May of this year. Ted was a born again Christian and loved the Lord. He led his family in a Christian environment and was a member of the First Baptist Church of Yukon since 1972. He served as Deacon there and was active in the men's prayer group and other areas in his younger years. In the last year of his life up until May, he attended on Sunday with his daughter, and they would always go get lunch at Chicken Express afterwards, which he always looked forward to. He made many lifelong friends throughout his life and was always willing to help anyone in need. He loved golfing with his church friends and getting his friends together on a Friday night at the house to sing and play gospel, country, and blue grass music. He was self-taught on guitar and ukulele. He loved tinkering with computers and taught himself how to build them from the ground up. He also was an avid gardener and always had a bounty of produce. He was always active in his children's activities growing up, even coaching little league sports and encouraging their musical interests. Ted was very family oriented and loved all his family with all his heart. He loved to laugh and spend as much time as he could with his family and friends. He loved his grandchildren and great-grandchildren and was so very proud of them and all they have accomplished in their lives. He was always telling people about them and was a great role model in their lives. He was always there for them growing up and helping to teach them things. His passing leaves a deep hole in all our lives, but we know he is reunited with his love and with the Lord and no longer suffering. He will be deeply missed by his family and all his friends.

Ted is survived by his son Sgt. Stephen Johnson and wife Reneigh of The Woodlands, Texas; daughter Cynthia Jeffries and husband Tony of Yukon, Oklahoma; grandchildren Zachary Johnson (fiancée Ashlyn), McKenzie Fortine (husband Bryan), John Erick Rose, Todd Collier (wife Kayla), and Garrett Rose; great-grandchildren Eli Rose, Montgomery Rose, Kingston Rose, Bentley Collier, Julien Fortine, Lillian Fortine; sister Sandra Van Zandt of Fallbrook, CA; and numerous nephews, nieces, and cousins.

Ted is preceded in death by his parents Ernest and Lena Johnson; wife Kathryn Delores Johnson; sisters Betty Johnson, Mildred Kendrick, and Christine Scribner; and brothers Roy Johnson and Herman Johnson.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to the First Baptist Church of Yukon, the Alzheimer's Association, or Wounded Warrior Project. Special thanks go to the OKC VA Hospital staff and personnel for their care and compassion.

A viewing will be held from 1:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. on Thursday, November 14, 2024, at Yanda & Son Funeral Home, located at 1500 W. Vandament Ave, Yukon, Oklahoma. The funeral service will take place at 2:00 P.M. on Friday, November 15, 2024, at the First Baptist Church of Yukon, 15 S 6th St, Yukon, OK, with interment to follow at Yukon Cemetery. Ted will be dearly missed by all who knew him.