Ronald D. Johnson

Ronald D. Johnson passed away peacefully on October 6, 2012, in Overland Park, Kansas, surrounded by his family.

He was born May 18, 1930, in Detroit, Michigan, the son of Anders and Naima Johnson. He attended Cass Technical High School in Detroit. He was a veteran of the Korean War, training in Ft. Leonard Wood, Missouri in 1952, and serving as a Combat Engineer in Company "C" of the 802nd Engineer Aviation Battalion. After the war he worked on engineering teams designing parts for Chevy, Ford, and Dodge. He attended the Engineering College of Wayne State University, where he first met Christine Myers. They married in 1959. In the same year Ron began a career in the design and manufacture of pneumatic bulk conveying systems, licensing his patented tank trailer design for the first time in 1964, and founding United States Systems, Inc. in 1969. In 1967 he acquired E-Z Shelving Systems, Inc., which continues to operate in Merriam, Kansas. Ron served on the board of City Union Mission in Kansas City for over 25 years, and contributed to missionary and humanitarian projects all over the world.

His passing was preceded by siblings Shirley Cole, Claire Wichman, and Clark Johnson. He is survived by his wife Christine Johnson; sister Marilyn DeHaan; four children; and three grandchildren.

Services will be held Saturday, October 13, 2012, at Hillcrest Covenant Church. Visitation will begin at 9:30 am with the funeral starting at 10 am. A committal service at Resurrection Cemetery will follow. The family will receive friends at Hillcrest after the service.

The family suggests memorial contributions be made to Hillcrest Covenant Church, City Union Mission, www.CYAK.org, or www.CC-US.org.