Robert Arthur Johnson

Robert Arthur Johnson

Robert Arthur Johnson, 83, of Sheridan, died Tuesday, Sept. 23, 2008 in Sheridan Memorial Hospital after a courageous battle against Parkinson's disease. Services for Mr. Johnson were held at the First Baptist Church in Sheridan at on Friday, Sept. 26, 2008 with Rev. Kenneth Doolin officiating.

Bob was born on Jan. 10, 1925 in Manville, WY to homesteader parents Rueben and Mabel (Carlisle) Johnson. He went to Carbon Black School in Lance Creek for most of his early school years and graduated from Manville High School in 1944. On June 1, 1947, Bob and Francis Taylor were married on the Taylor home place on the Divide in Lusk. Bob loved the Sheridan area but had fond memories of his years in the Lance Creek, Manville, and Lusk area. As his disease progressed, his yearnings to return to Niobrara County increased.

He will be remembered by his family as a hard-working man. Besides working with his father and brothers on the home place in Lance Creek, he worked for the Continental Oil Co. After moving his family to Lusk, he worked for Rancher's Feed Service. In 1970, Bob and Francis moved their family to Sheridan where he worked as a milk truck driver for Jersey Creamery and then as a maintenance man at the Memorial Hospital of Sheridan County until his retirement in 1989.

After retiring, they joined the Mobile Missions Assistance Program and enjoyed traveling the U.S. for 9 years. When health issues interfered with their M.M.A.P. work, he and Francis became Senior Companions with the Sheridan Senior Center. Bob continued with that work until he became a resident of Sheridan Manor in July of this year.

Bob loved to tinker and was notorious for always having some type of home improvement project in the works. He was an active member of the First Baptist Church for 38 years and loved the Lord. Bob also loved spending time with his family. He looked forward to the many Johnson family reunions and visits with cousins and extended family. He was proud of his grandkids and great grandchildren and especially enjoyed any time he spent with them.

He was preceded in death by his parents; parents-in-law; two brothers, Wayne and Donald; and one sister, Florence. Bob is survived by his wife of 61 years; sister, Maxine Miller, of Casper, Wyo.; Sons Larry and wife Dee, of Esterbrook, Ronald and wife Denise, of Douglas, Wyo., Rex and wife Barbara, of Delta, Colo., and Keith of Cody; daughters Merna Dodd and husband, Leland, of Miles City, Mont., and Anita Walker and husband, Rick, of Casper,Wyo.; 12 grandchildren; 22 great grandchildren; and five great, great grandchildren; as well as brothers and sisters-in-law; numerous cousins, nieces, nephews, and dear friends.

Memorials in memory of Bob may be made to the First Baptist Church in Sheridan or the Sheridan Senior Center. The family would also appreciate any happy memories of Bob being put in writing and sent to Francis to be compiled into a memorial book.

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