Lawrence (Larry) Reinhold Johnson

Lawrence (Larry) Reinhold Johnson

March 4, 1939 – June 9, 2021

It is with great sorrow that we announce that Lawrence (Larry) Reinhold Johnson, 82, passed away in the afternoon on June 9^th, 2021 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. He led a life of commitment, service, and love. He was raised in Kansas City, Missouri by his mother Lola Day and his stepfather Bruce Beach. He was raised Catholic and attended Catholic Schools during his formative years. He confirmed his faith in April of 1949 and his faith would remain with him through the rest of his life, as signified by the Cross of St. Christopher he always wore, gifted to him by his wife, Leah Louise Johnson, shortly after their marriage. Larry married his wife and lifelong partner Leah Johnson in 1957. Their union’s strength is best symbolized in by their commitment to one another for sixty-three and a half years. Together, Larry and Leah raised two children, Lori Lee (Johnson) Leeper and Daniel Raymond Johnson.

Throughout his career Larry served his country proudly. He joined the U.S. Navy in 1956 and spent the next twenty-seven years serving on multiple ships including the USS Hancock CV-19, USS Midway CV-41, USS Isle Royal AD-29, and USS John F. Kennedy CV-67 across multiple deployments. During this time, he was stationed at bases in California, Virginia, Nevada, South Carolina, Maine, Oklahoma and Sigonella Sicily. His service was recognized through various accolades, medals, and promotions throughout this career in the Navy until his retirement from service in 1981. Following his career in the U.S. Navy, Larry joined the civil service at the Army Ammunitions Plant in McAlester, Oklahoma until he fully retired in 1996. During his long career of military and civil service, Larry joined and contributed to multiple national and local organizations such as the Disabled American Veterans, the Nuclear Weapons Association, Fleet Reserve Association, Elks, and the Veteran of Foreign Wars organization. Through these organizations he met friends and positively impacted the lives of those around him.

In retirement, Larry focused on that which he treasured most, his family and friends. There can be little doubt about the level of love, care, and commitment he showed for his family through his words and actions. He enjoyed family vacations with his children and grandchildren. He particularly enjoyed trips to Branson, Galveston, and going on cruises. He also greatly enjoyed spending the holiday season together with family.  He cherished the time he spent together with family sharing stories and hearing about the ongoings of their lives, especially over a meal. With friends, he enjoyed spending time on the golf course on an afternoon drive with his wife and the car club they joined, or at dinner with friends at the Elks. His devotion to those he cared for is perhaps best exemplified in his pursuit to understand any problem they faced, no matter how big or small, and helping them to find a solution and peace of mind.

He is survived by his wife, Leah Johnson of Edmond, Oklahoma. His two children, Lori Lee (Johnson) Leeper of Edmond, Oklahoma and Daniel Raymond Johnson of Tulsa, Oklahoma. His two grandchildren, Bryan Larry Archie Johnson and his wife Kathryn Carley Johnson of McAlester, Oklahoma and Matthew Jon Leeper Jr. and his wife Jessica Renee Leeper of Glasgow, Scotland. He is also survived by four great-grandchildren: Kandon Johnson, Reid Patrick, Laklyn Johnson and Aubree Brojakowski. His funeral service will be held graveside at Fort Gibson National Cemetery with Full Military Honors and is restricted to immediate family only. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested donations to the American Heart Association in Larry’s name.