Raymond JOHNSON
Ray was born in Toronto, ON, on August 16, 1932, and was the third son of James and Margaret (Gibson) Johnson. He moved to Calgary AB at the age of 18 where he later met Betty Iris Kerr, and the two were married (in Phoenix, AZ,) on January 15th, 1959.
They started their married life in Calgary, where all three of their children were born, then moved to Edmonton in 1967, where Ray built the family home, on an acreage near Spruce Grove AB. Ray worked as a commercial coffee equipment technician, then answered the call on his life to pastoring Calvary Gospel Church in Edmonton. He was dedicated to evangelism, and he shared the gospel at outdoor events in Edmonton and travelling to small towns in the province of Alberta. Twice he travelled on evangelistic missions, speaking in various towns in Jamaica. He could also be heard on the “Light of the World “radio broadcast on CFCW 790 AM radio during the 70’s. He enjoyed water skiing, rollerblading and weightlifting throughout his life, even appearing in a Fitness Center television commercial upside down in a walking handstand!
He had a passion for motorcycles, which he passed on to his sons and grandsons, and would pop in for a visit while out for a ride on a warm, Sunday afternoon. He enjoyed restoring and selling old and used items, and you could often bump into him at various thrift stores throughout Spruce Grove, with a wide smile on his face and stating, “you have to see the deal I just found!”
He will be remembered by family and friends as a good provider, a bargain hunter, a man who enjoyed fixing things, who was healthy and fit, and a man who loved and was committed to his family. Above all else, his family respected him as a man who was passionate about reading and studying scripture to deepen his relationship with Christ and to share this knowledge with others. He sought after God’s own heart and loved his Lord dearly.
Ray was predeceased by his wife Betty (2011), parents, and brothers Jim and Albert. Left to honour his memory and to celebrate his life, are his children Sheryl (Keith), Daniel (Rhonda) & Michael (Christine), his 14 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren, as well as his brother Tom (Mary), his Kerr family and many friends.
A private graveside service was held for immediate family on Jan 27th.
We invite and welcome all friends and family to a Celebration of Ray’s Life to be held in the Spruce Grove Community Church fellowship hall at 12:30 pm on Saturday, April 20th, 2024. Lunch will be provided with open time to recall and share the many memories we hold dear.
My condolences! I remember Uncle Ray was always joking and laughing!
So true! He always loved to kid around.
Dear Johnson family, our hearts and prayers go out to you all during this difficult time.
Running into Ray at Mcdonalds and the thrift store was alway a blessing.
I will miss those occasional encounters.
I would sometimes see him ministering to one or more new believers at a time, and they alway seemed to be hanging on every word. He genuinely always seemed to be full of joy and excited about the word of God, desiring to freely give what he had freely received.
I appreciated his giving enthusiastic nature. It was genuine and always well received.
In loving memory of our Brother in the Lord. WJ
Thank you Lord for every encounter with Ray Johnson and his contribution to my walk in you. Amen
We will always remember Ray as coming out to our acreage with his chain saw to get his supply of winter wood.
Such a vibrant and happy man of God. Love to the family.
goin’ to uncle Ray’s church !
well I remember driving into West Edmonton from the acreage – when so little it was a long drive …Ha Ha aha Yes God’s church, but I used to call it Uncle Ray’s church
😂😂😂
So I/we do pray
On Valentine’s day for grieving hearts ❤️ Amen 🙏
Much love
Corey with sisters and brothers of Kerr family
also with condolences from Brian ‘n David Buckler
God General, Pastor Ray goodbye we shall meet on resurrection day.
John &Felicia Adegbenjo