Romie Johnson
<p>Romie Arthur (R.A.) Johnson</p>
Romie Arthur “R.A.” Johnson passed away due to congestive heart failure on Jan. 25, 2015. He was 91 and resided in Libby.
Romie, also known as R.A., was born Sept. 1, 1923, in Turkey, Ark. In 1935 his family moved to the Bay Area of California during the depression. From the Bay Area the family moved to You Bet, Calif., where some of his fondest memories were made.
He served in the United States Army as a Longshoreman during World War II in New Guinea and Luzon in the Philippines with the 614th Port Company. He received the WWII Victory Medal, Good Conduct Medal, and Philippine Liberation Ribbon with Bronze Star Asiatic Pacific Campaign Medal.
Romie began his career as a carpenter, became a licensed general contractor and then started the first garage door company in Grass Valley, Calif. He was hard working and always building or making something - homes, cabinets, furniture, and later in life wooden writing pens in his small workshop.
In 2008 Romie moved to Libby. You might have seen him riding around Libby in his red scooter with a Harley Davidson sticker on the back, even in five degree weather. His favorite things were watching football on television, watching snow fall, exploring and panning for gold.
He is survived by three daughters, Jackie Johnson and Vicky Johnson-Harcourt of Libby and Rene’e Bailey of Eureka, Calif.; two sisters, Elois Coatney of Sacramento, Calif., and Barbara Sweat of Grass Valley, Calif.; son-in-law Mike Powell of Libby; four grandchildren, Shannon and Kyle Bailey of California, Tawny Cumings of Florida, and Amanda Harcourt of Libby; one great-grandchild and numerous nieces and nephews.
Romie did his best no matter what he was doing. As he aged he became more determined and cantankerous. His crystal blue eyes were striking and unforgettable.
His daughters would like to thank his personal caregiver, everyone at hospice, the staff at Libby Care Center, doctors and physician assistants at Libby Clinic, social workers including ADPS social worker and all the doctors, nurses, technicians, therapist, etc. for their patience and kind care. If you would like to make a memorial donation, please make it to your local hospice organization.
Arrangements are by Schnackenberg & Nelson Funeral Home & Crematory in Libby. Online condolences and memories may be shared at www.schnackenbergfh.com