It is with profound grief and sadness that the family of Ronald Joseph Johnson makes known his death at the age of 57. Ron passed peacefully at home in Ojai on October 22, 2014..
Ron lived and enjoyed this life to the fullest. Beloved by so many he actually did have it all. A loving family, scores of friends and colleagues, and an indomitable zest for life. He led us, made us laugh, introduced us to adventure and led a joyful and purposeful life. He was a kind and generous man, privately very sentimental and deeply loyal to family and friends.
Born January 3, 1957 in Huntington Park, CA to Jacqueline and Jean Johnson, he grew up in La Mirada and graduated from La Mirada High School in 1975.
In 1978 he began a lifelong career in the welding gases and supply business as a truck driver with VB Anderson and then excelled in sales and management. During his career he lived in many cities throughout Southern California, including Corona where his daughter was born. Ron loved the greener and slower pace of Ventura County; especially Ojai, and settled there permanently in 1990.
Ron’s life changed happily forever in 1996 when he made a last minute decision to attend a wedding in Phoenix and met Sharon. They dated long distance for six months; traveling between Albuquerque and Ojai before he proposed marriage on New Year’s Eve. Ron and Sharon eloped in June 1997 and enjoyed a happy, deeply close and connected marriage.
Ron was an Executive Sales Manager with Praxair in 1999 when he left to start his own business with partners and friends. Accu Air was tremendously successful and his years there were the happiest and most fulfilling of his career. A surprise to many of his colleagues, he retired at age 53 in order to enjoy life at a slower pace. This also afforded him the pleasure of spending more time with friends, drinking and collecting wine, and traveling. Ron and Sharon traveled extensively; throughout the US, Central American and Europe; but he especially enjoyed Italy. He also loved the island of Kauai and went annually in January to watch the NFL Playoffs near the beach and make new friends.
Ron enjoyed people from all walks of life and had a multitude of friends. Known for his wit, storytelling and sense of humor he also enjoyed golf, reading, leisurely meals and time with friends; a few whom he considered family. He was a lifelong, enthusiastic and loyal Dodgers baseball fan and friend to everyone he met.
He was extremely proud of his two children. They will remember him as a kind, gentle and driven father who encouraged them to pursue their dreams and goals in life, love and career; and like him, to always do the right thing. His spontaneity will also be fondly remembered in many ways. Last minute decisions to head out camping, snow mobiling or just suddenly stopping off for banana cream pie.
Ron is survived by his devoted wife Sharon Johnson; daughter, Michelle Johnson Miller, (Ryan) son, Dominick Biava, and a brother, Bobby Johnson. He is preceded in death by his parents, Jean and Jacqueline Johnson of Dallas, Texas.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday November 1, 2014 in the JOSEPH P. REARDON FUNERAL HOME & CREMATION SERVICE, 757 E. Main Street Ventura from 2-4 pm with remarks and sharing at 3PM. A reception and celebration of Ron’s extraordinary but short life will follow at Periano’s on Main St. The family plans a private interment at Nordoff Cemetery in Ojai.