Rayburn Lee Johnson passed away, peacefully, on April 6, 2022. Ray grew up in Bruce, Mississippi (Calhoun County). The first 2 vehicles he ever bought were trucks for his father. And, throughout his life, he had a great passion for fixing up used cars… which may have had something to do with landing a career at Bendix Brakes in Michigan where he ended up as a Line Foreman and also served a term as the Union Steward.
Ray loved life and had large groups of both family AND friends. He felt that life and people will take advantage of you if you let them, and that everyone should stand up and make sure they get their fair share. And, that life is too short TO NOT live in the moment while you can. He liked to see people live smart and prosper and bragged on them regularly for it.
Ray focused on keeping up with current events, liked Country music, shooting pool, drinking beer, and making friends and new acquaintances wherever he went. He never met a stranger and couldn't go anywhere without bumping into someone he needed to say “Hi” to. He also found it impossible to just let the phone ring without answering it or driving by a car for sale without writing down the phone number! (…or passing up an opportunity.) He also enjoyed traveling.
Ray touched so many people. He will be sorely missed in this life! He will be laid to rest at Sunset Memorial Gardens in Des Moines, Iowa beside his wife, Betty Sue “Betty Lou” (Rhodes), who preceded him in death 6.5 years prior, and with whom he shared 46 years of companionship. Ray was 84.