Obituary of Kermit C. Johnson

Kermit C. Johnson, 80, of 4911 Baker St. Ext., Ashville, formerly of 8 Ellis Ave. in Jamestown, died very unexpectedly at 7:35 p.m. Saturday (December 1, 2012) in WCA Hospital. He was born in Jamestown on April 7, 1932, the son of the late Carl A. and Mary E. Wallen Johnson, and graduated from Jamestown High School in 1951. Following a time in the Naval Reserves, he served in the US Navy from 1952 to 1954. He then attended Alfred University for two years and later, Jamestown Community College. In earlier years, Kermit was employed as an apprentice tool & die maker by Art Metal. In 1965, he was the original founder of Jamestown Appliance Parts in Brooklyn Square, later relocating to the Steele Street location. He then became owner and operator of the former Forestville Aluminum in Forestville, NY, and retired in 2000 from MRC-TRW as a quality control manager. A lifelong and active member of Bethel Lutheran Church where he was baptized in 1932, Kermit also attended St. Matthews Lutheran Church in Ocala, FL while wintering there the past 12 years. An active Mason, he was a member of the Mt. Moriah Masonic Lodge No. 145, serving as Worshipful Master in 1975, as well as the Kharram Grotto, Jamestown Consistory and the Shriners. Kermit cherished time with his children and grandchildren. He loved people and going for morning coffee. He also enjoyed Sudoku puzzles and looked forward to heading to Florida each year for the winter. Kermit is survived by the love of his life, Lorraine Y. Rock Johnson, whom he married June 25, 1955. Also surviving are two daughters, Wendy L. Johnson-Kum (David) of Jamestown and Cindy Y. Palmer (John) of Lakewood; four grandchildren: David J., Kassandra L. and Tristan A.R. Kum, all of Jamestown and Morgan L. Palmer of Lakewood; a sister, Mary Jane C.E. Barr of Frederick, MD; and a niece, Lisa M. Kane and grandniece and nephew, Emily T. and Jack D. Kane, all of Waynesboro, PA. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother-in-law, Jack R. Barr; grand nephew-in-law, Joseph D. Kane; and an aunt, Elsa A. Hearberg. The funeral will be held at 11:00 a.m. Thursday in Bethel Lutheran Church. The Rev. Adam Miller-Stubbendick will officiate. Burial will be in Lake View Cemetery. Friends will be received from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday in the Lind Funeral Home, where a Masonic Lodge Funeral Service will be held at 5:45 p.m. Wednesday. The family suggests memorials be made to Bethel Lutheran Church, 904 W. Third St., Jamestown, NY 14701.