RAY EDWARD JOHNSON, 73, of Rapid City, SD passed from this world on Sunday, January 22, 2017, after losing a long battle with Alzheimer's disease at Aspen House in Loveland, Colorado.  He was under hospice care.  Ray was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, on September 19, 1943, the son of Ulysse V. Johnson and Lela (Smith) Johnson. He spent his early years on the family dairy ranch west of Hermosa, SD, where the family moved when Ray  was just six months old.  He was a 1961 graduate of Rapid City High School, after which he proudly served his country and is a US Navy veteran. He loved hunting, fishing, gardening and outdoor life. Ray enjoyed his 20-year volunteer work with Whispering Pines Volunteer Fire Department, ten of those as its fire chief.  His family was also involved in this endeavor for the good of the community on Sheridan Lake Road.

Ray married Patricia (Pat) Godes June 24, 1967, residing thereafter in Rapid City. His work history included parts sales with Rapid City Implement, a technician with US West and Northwestern Bell Telephone Co. and wholesale souvenir sales with Rushmore Photo. In 1992 he and Pat began their own souvenir business RP Enterprises, combined with silk screen printing and embroidery, which they operated until forced retirement in 2011 due to Ray's illness. He deeply missed seeing and visiting with his customers on a regular basis.

Mr. Johnson is survived by his wife Pat of Rapid City, his son Bryan Lee Johnson, a US Navy SEAL and his wife Nichole of Colorado Springs, Colorado; Ray's daughter Tiffany Rae Payne and her husband Jerry of Bar Nunn, Wyoming; his sister Lois Finch of Hardeeville, SC; his grandchildren Tracy Payne (19), Todd Johnson (12), Lela Payne (9) and Isabella Johnson (2); numerous cousins, nieces and nephews, and his 4-legged walking buddy Mr. Lincoln. He was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers Robert Johnson and Ulysse Johnson, Jr.  Ray was so very proud of his family and all of their accomplishments.

Ray was a quiet, kind and gentle soul and will be terribly missed by his family and friends. He lived by this motto: There are times when a simple hug, a touch or a smile are worth more than a billion words spoken. A gathering of family and friends is scheduled for 10:00am, Friday, January27, 2017, at Osheim-Schmidt Funeral home, followed by private family committal at Black Hills National Cemetery near Sturgis, SD.  The family appreciates memorials sent to the Alzheimer Association in memory of Ray E. Johnson, and (just as importantly) a special kindness shown to those families you know who are suffering the horrible effects of Alzheimer's disease.

Friends may sign his online guest register at www.osheimschmidt.com.