Obituary of Roger A. Johnson

Roger A. Johnson, 88, of Englewod, Fla., formerly of 201 Arlington Ave., Jamestown, passed away unexpectedly on Wednesday, December 30, 2020 at 12:18 pm at the Englewood Community Hospital in Florida. He was born January 12, 1932 in Jamestown, the only son of the late Andrew Gotfred and Doretta Breed Johnson. Roger was a 1950 graduate of Jamestown High School. Soon after graduation he began his career in banking with The First National Bank of Jamestown. He continued his education and graduated Rutgers School of Banking in 1971. After 35 years of employment with First National Bank, he retired as Senior Vice President in 1985. Following retirement he and his wife, Janice, moved to Florida. Together they built their new home, beginning their new chapter of life. They enjoyed spending time with many new friends on Englewood Beach, playing golf and. happy to be walking on the warm sandy beaches of the Gulf of Mexico rather than shoveling and walking in the snow in Jamestown. During his life Roger was well respected within his community and actively involved in numerous local and national organizations. He was an active member of Bethel Lutheran Church and Lutheran Social Services. He was a member of the American Institute of Banking, Rotary Club, Viking Lodge No 65 IOV, Y's Mens' Club, YMCA, Salvation Army, Moonbrook Country Club and 210 Town Club. He also served on the board of trustees of the James Prendergast Library. He was preceded in death by his wife, Janice Bjork Johnson whom he married April 21, 1956 in Frewsburg, NY; his father, Andrew Gotfred Johnson and mother, Doretta Breed Johnson; his sister, Carol Johnson Chandler and her son Terry Card; his father-in-law and mother-in-law, Maurice and Marjorie Nelson Bjork; and sisters'-in-law, Suzette Bjork Anderson and Marie E. Bjork. He is survived by his daughter, Cheryl (Craig) Thomas of Englewood, FL; two grandsons, Jason Matthew (Sloane) Thomas of Grosse Pointe, MI and Dane Andrew Thomas of Portland, OR; and several cousins including, Barbara Breed, Valerie (Blair) Breed Johnson, Dan (Debbie) Breed, Michael Breed, Dale (Aleen) Peterson, Don (Michelle) Peterson and Bill Lawson of Panama, NY. He is also survived by his brother-in-law, James Anderson of Severna Park, MD; his nieces, Bethany Bjork of Colorado, Debi (Ed) Howard of Severna Park, MD, Shelly (Michael) Schmatz of Geneseo, NY, Kimberly (Todd) Clark of Chester, MD and a nephew, Randy (Sherry) Bjork of Jamestown, NY; as well as Joan Anderson Hult of Jamestown and her son, Timothy Hult of California. Roger was forever grateful for all of his friends and family who supported him and continued to love him, respect him and continue their friendship with him throughout his life. He would have liked to acknowledge his lifetime friendship with Richard "Dick" (Patricia) Hanson of Lakewood, NY, and their son, Mark (Cindy) Hanson, of Jamestown, NY and daughter, Lisa (Tim) Bartholow of Athens, GA. Roger will be remembered for his love of music, playing the organ, enjoying "sing along" events during the many years of celebrating and entertaining in his home during the holidays with family and friends. The family requests any memorial donation be made to Chautauqua Institution, 1 Ames Avenue, Chautauqua, NY 14222; or to a charity of one's choice. "If anyone asks, please tell them I am thankful to have lived a long and happy life". Upon Roger's request, no funeral or memorial will be held.