Richard A. Johnson, age 64, Sioux Falls, passed away April 9, 2019 after suffering a heart attack.
Richard was born April 21, 1954 to Carl and Lorena (Jordt) Johnson in Pipestone, MN. He grew up on the farm in Ward, SD going to country school and had the normal adventures of a farm boy. He went to Flandreau to school in about eighth grade. Richard married Linda J. Simpson on Nov. 26, 1977 at UMC in Sioux Falls and the next spring adopted Frank, her son. In January of 1979, they welcomed Christopher into the family. Rich worked as a mechanic at Dakota Mack Truck, Greg’s Trucking and Graham Goodyear while they lived in Sioux Falls. The family was active at Faith Temple Church. Richard, along with Linda and Chris, graduated from Asia and Pacific Christian University as Associate Missionaries in 1990. They served as missionaries in Singapore, Hong Kong, China and the Philippines. In 1994 Richard and Linda were then assigned to a church in Shawnee, KS and were credentialed and ordained in 1994 at Wichita, KS. Rich also worked at Midas Muffler, going back to ASE mechanics school. He loved his crew and the work at Midas, as well as the church they served and all the ministerial activities of Kansas City area. In 1998, they returned to the Philippines for two years and when they came back to the USA, they resumed their ministry and his work at Midas. He received his high school diploma in the Spring of 2001, on his 43rd birthday.
In 2004, they were assigned to a Filipino church on the Island of Kauai. The Kauai National Guard was called up to Iraq and Rich was needed as a mechanic in August 2005. Rich went on to serve with Coalition forces, being one of the last to bring out equipment and ground soldiers. He assisted the Chaplain as men came to him for counsel in the war zone. He was able to serve two different six-month time periods, during his 5-year tour, with his son, Chris. Richard achieved many awards from the Army and Iraqi and other national forces. After he was demobilized in October 2011, he joined his family back in Sioux Falls and attended Mitchell Tech for CDL retraining. He found a job at Ryder Trucking.
Richard loved his home and his job and his simple life. No one had an unkind word to say about Richard. He was kind and considerate to all he met and he was certainly accomplished beyond what he ever would’ve expected his life to be. He was happy to grow old with Linda. He will be missed by many, here and around the globe, for his goodness. He had the gift of faith so surely he is residing now in his heavenly home.
Richard is survived by his wife: Linda; two sons, Frank, Ohio and Christopher (Heather) N. Kansas City, MO; four grandchildren: Jada, Jaclyn, Chase and Luke; eight siblings: James, Bellingham, WA; Janice Huebner, Pipestone; Dale (Rica), Tampa, FL; Roger, Flandreau, Dorothy Proctor, Chattanooga, TN; Ruth (Roy) Schramm, Flandreau; Linda (Ed) Gullickson, Flandreau; Duane (Jackie), Mountain Home, ID and his mother-in-law: Ruth Creasey, Mitchell.
Richard was preceded in death by his parents, sister Marilyn, brother Robert, and uncle Velmer Jordt.
Services will be 10:30 am Tuesday, April 16, 2019 at Skroch Funeral Chapel, Flandreau, with burial in Union Cemetery. Visitation will be Monday 5:30 – 7:30 pm at the chapel with a 6:30 pm prayer service and time of sharing. www.skrochfc.com
