Elmer "Lee" Johnson

Elmer "Lee" Johnson, of Ocean Springs, went to be with the Lord on Monday, March 17, 2008, age 76, after a lengthy illness. He joined his son, Jackie Joe Johnson, his parents, Carl and Lillie Johnson of Duncan, OK and two brothers, Dearyl Ray Johnson and Bob Johnson who predeceased him. Lee was born in Blue Grove, TX on July 1, 1931, but the family moved to Duncan, OK when he was a small baby. Lee graduated from Duncan High School in 1950. Lee was a three year Army Veteran who served his country during the Korean War and was on the front lines of that war for 9 months. He was there on the day of the ceasefire. He returned to his home in Duncan, OK and was employed by Halliburton Corp. He was a part time minister of the Countryside Baptist Church and preached in other churches in the Duncan and Comanche, OK area. He left Duncan, OK and moved to Seattle, WA, where he was employed by Boeing Aircraft, then transferred to a division of Boeing in Wichita, KS. He came to Ocean Springs, MS to work for Ingalls Shipbuilding Division of Litton Industries in 1972. He retired from the Physical Progress Department in 1994. He was a lay reader and member of the Saints and Sinner's Men's Dinner group at St. John's Episcopal Church in Ocean Springs. He was a past President of Toastmaster's International, Jackson Co. Chapter and had been a member of that organization in WA, KS, and MS for many years. He was a past Election Commissioner in Ocean Springs and also served on the Civil Service Commission and the Tree Committee. He was a past member and Chaplain of Ocean Springs BPOE Elks Lodge #: 2501. He was also a member of the V.F.W. He is survived by his loving wife of 35 years, Barbara Cook Johnson, of Ocean Springs, his son, Dan Johnson (wife, Marga), now of Choctaw, OK, and his daughter, Susan Marie Dias, of Burkburnett, TX. He is also survived by his step children, Terry Cook, Vana Cook (husband, Bob) Perry and Chris (wife, Donna) Cook. Also surviving are grandchildren Sarah and Brian Johnson, step grandchildren, James and Kathryn Cook, Kelly Applewhite Ward, Michael (Traci) and Scott Payne. He is also survived by step great grandchildren, Garrett Ward and Haylie Rae Payne. His brothers, James A. (wife, Betty) Johnson of Eugene, OR, Jack Johnson of Mira-Las Olas, CA, and Joe (wife, Michele) Johnson of Vancouver, WA. A graveside service will be held at the Biloxi National Cemetery in Biloxi on Friday, March 21, 2008 at 1:30 p.m. Arrangements made by Bradford-O'Keefe Funeral Homes, Ocean Springs, MS. In memory of Lee, donations may be made to the St. Johns Episcopal Church Building Fund, The Alzheimer's Association of MS or a favorite charity.