Date of Birth:
Wednesday, February 25, 1931
Date of Death:
Sunday, July 24, 2016
Age:
85 years old

Edward Paul Johnson

Edward Paul Johnson, the son of the late Edward and Gertrude Johnson, was born on February 25, 1931 in New York City and departed this life July 24, 2016.

He grew up in New York where he attended private elementary school and Bronx High School of Science. After high school, he enlisted in the military for six years serving in Asia and the United States. He retired from the service in February of 1991.

Edward attended Ulster Community College, Brooklyn College, the University of Minnesota, and Concordia. While in college, he tutored and participated in various activities. He was employed by IBM in various places and assignments. He began in Rochester in August of 1974 where he then retired after 31 years in July of 1991.

On August 30, 1965, he married Vivien Inez Oden in Yonkers, New York. On May 4, 1968, he was received in the Episcopal Church at the Cathedral Church of St. John the Divine in New York. In 1974, he and his wife were received in the St. Luke’s Episcopal Family where he was a member until his death. In St. Luke’s, Edward was Chair of the Fellowship Commission, Host at Maple Manor, on the Building and Grounds Commission, Lay Reader, Scheduler, Vestry, Study Group, Caller & Singer of Birthday Wishes, Salvation Army Bell Ringer, and the Columbarium Commission.

Since his retirement he has been active as a volunteer at the Mayo Clinic, St. Mary Hospital, Red Cross, Minnesota Public Radio, Reading for the Visually Disabled as well as scheduler, Library and Fairway Ridge Co-op.

Edward leaves to cherish his memories a devoted wife, Vivien Oden Johnson, nieces-in-law, Frances Carter, Denise Roseborough, Evoria Bess, Cora Jones, Claudia Davis, Hattie Henderson, Virginia Chadwick, Kinsey Perkins, Fannie Jones, Virginia Hardesty, Marsha Backman, Kimberly Oden, and Rosa Oden. Nephews-in-law Isaac Carter, William Oden, Ronald Oden, Kelvin Oden, Curtis Oden Jr., Kenneth Oden, William Oden, Vernon Jones, and Calvin Jones and Step-nephew-in-law David Hodge. Rochester Family Jackie and Virge Trotter, Sandy and Lew Means, Pearline and Ed Long, Ivy and Clement Akogyeram, Malinda Morgan, plus Mary & Ronny Cox, Madison, MS., also Gretchen & Donald Mc Coy, Durham, NC.

Two brothers preceded him in death.

He has traveled to all the Scandinavian countries, Switzerland, Germany, Austria, Italy, Wales, Greece, Portugal, England, Venezuela, China, Hong Kong, Japan, New Zealand, and many others. He loved to go where the people of the country lived to talk with them about places to visit.

A memorial service will be held at 11:00AM on Thursday, July 28^th, 2016 at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church with Rev. Ernest Ashcroft officiating. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service on Thursday.  Edward’s cremains  will be interred in the columbarium at St. Luke’s.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to Saint Luke’s Episcopal music program and Minnesota Public Radio.

Online condolences are welcome at www.mackenfuneralhome.com.