Ronald Johnson, beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend, was surrounded by family when he embarked on his final flight on December 29, 2023, after a long and full life.
Ron and his twin brother, Rod, were born on a beautiful May day in Wallace, ID, to Richard and Naomi “Pat” Johnson. His mother and father had been en route from Stevensville, MT to visit Richard’s mother in Spokane, WA. Not realizing that she was carrying twins, Pat was taken by surprise when she went into labor on May 18, 1932. Later, the family grew to include another set of twins, Janet and Joan, as well as another son, Charles.
Ron and Rod spent a portion of their youth in two children’s homes – the Spokane Children’s Home and the Deaconess Home in Helena. Ron and Rod were extremely close and the best of friends, relying upon each other not only during their challenging early years but throughout their entire lives.
In 1950, Ron enlisted in the U.S. Navy and was stationed on Guam when the war broke out in Korea. He served in Korea, stationed in Inchon, until he was honorably discharged in 1953.
Upon his return from Korea, Ron worked for Buttrey Foods in Harlem, Malta, and Chinook. He met his beloved wife, Marilee Chapman, while working in Chinook. They were married at the Presbyterian Church there on December 19, 1954. Ron and Marilee lived all over the state before finally settling in Wolf Point in 1965. Together, Ron and Marilee had three children, Ronald “Dean” born in 1955, Dawn in 1956, and Lance in 1962. Marilee succumbed to cancer in 2000 and Dean passed away in 2020.
Ron and Marilee owned a propane company before Ron realized that he “would rather work with his brain than with his back”. Becoming a Montana Highway Patrolman in 1963 led to a 25-year career in law enforcement, with Ron working his way up to the rank of Sergeant. While in the Highway Patrol, Ron discovered his great love of flying, earning his pilot’s license. Ron became a “Bear in the Air” for the Patrol. He also went on to pilot flights for the state of Montana, flying Lieutenant Governor Mike McGrath and even Governor Ted Schwinden. Ron graduated from the Dawson Community College in May of 1976 with an Associate of Applied Science in Law Enforcement.
Upon retiring from the Highway Patrol, Ron was elected to the post of Justice of the Peace for Roosevelt County – a role which he held for 12 years. Ron was never one to sit idle, and upon his second “retirement” he continued investigative work for cases tried by the United States District Court out of Great Falls. Additionally, Ron served on the Montana Supreme Court Commission for a number of years. Ron even was a bit of a movie star, having been asked to play a judge in a series of commercials for a law firm in California. Ron was an unbelievably talented woodworker, having built most of furniture in their house (although he would want you to know that Marilee should get the credit for the design). Ron also made countless frames for the artwork of his son, daughter, and late wife. Additionally,
Ron spent a summer at Chief Plenty Coup State Park, just after Marilee’s passing, during which he rebuilt the furniture in Chief Plenty Coup’s cabin. Other hobbies of Ron’s included sailing (in his younger years) and golf. Ron was a lover of beautiful cars, having owned two Lincoln Continentals and five Jaguars throughout his years. Ron served on countless Boards and Committees throughout his life.
Ron married Sue Watterson on December 27, 2003 in the midst of a fierce blizzard, which set the tone for their coming years together – years that were jam-packed with adventure – including world travel, experiencing other cultures, learning how to ask for the bathroom in several languages, and bungee jumping on their honeymoon. They were blessed to have celebrated 20 years of marriage two days before Ron’s passing.
Ron was preceded in death by his parents Richard and Pat, twin brother Rod, sister Joan, wife Marilee, son Dean, as well as other family members and dear friends, too numerous to mention.
Ron is survived by his wife, Sue; his daughter Dawn Garfield, son Lance (Debbie) Johnson, daughter-in-law Lisa Johnson (surviving spouse of Ron’s late son, Dean); grandchildren Doug, Vanessa (John), Shaylene (John), and Cameron, as well as great-grandchildren Stone, Allen, Orion, Mason, Devon, Ezra, Jack, Ella, Layla, Isabella and Asher, who is expected in March. Ron was blessed with a bonus family when he and Sue married, and is also survived by Sue’s children Joycelyn (Barry) Watterson-Woods, Jeremy (Katie) Watterson, and grandkids Conor, Miles, Alice, Ian, Justice, Jude, and Finley.
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