Elmer Dean Johnson

Elmer Dean Johnson, 89 ½, of Oak Hill Avenue, a former longtime resident of Glendale Road, Attleboro, passed peacefully on Wednesday, August 22, 2012 at the Life Care Center of Attleboro. He was the husband of the late Brita M. (Leffler) Johnson to whom he was married on June 29, 1946 and entered into eternal rest on April 20, 2010. Born in Attleboro, Massachusetts on January 23, 1923, he was a son of the late J. Birger and Selma A. (Svenson) Johnson. He was a lifelong resident of the City of Attleboro with the exception of residing in Sudbury from 1955 - 1958. He was a 1941 graduate of Attleboro High School and was a 1945 graduate of Tufts University. Mr. Johnson proudly served in the United States Navy from his enlistment on November 9, 1942 until his honorable discharge on January 8, 1946. He was the recipient of the World War II Victory Medal, the Philippine Liberation Medal, the American Theatre Medal, the Asiatic-Pacific Theatre Medal and the Good Conduct Medal. As an electronics engineer, Mr. Johnson began his career in 1949 at the Boston University Physical Research Labs where he worked on Upper Air V-2 Rocket Instrumentations and Optical Photo Enhancement Development. From 1956- 1987, Mr. Johnson was employed by the Baird Corporation where he served in numerous capacities including RF Development Engineer, Project Manager Special Development Projects and Production Manager for multi-channel Audio Recorders for Courtroom use. He retired in 1987 and then focused his time on family and his hobbies including playing the violin and violin repair, music, tennis and golf. In earlier years he was a member of a string quartet that played chamber music in Boston. A lifelong member of the Evangelical Covenant Church in Attleboro, Mr. Johnson was instrumental in relocating the church from the former location on the corner of South Main Street and Beacon Street in Attleboro to the current location on North Main Street - Route 152, Attleboro. He leaves three children: Dr. Peter B. Johnson, M.D. and his wife, Carol A. (Proulx) Johnson, of Attleboro; Mr. Mark D. Johnson and his wife, Maria Rode, of San Francisco, California and Dr. Thomas K. Johnson and his life partner, Michael Tarplee, of Seattle, Washington; a son-in-law: Dr. William A. MacPherson of Attleboro; five grandchildren: Erik P. Johnson and his wife, Michelle (Ross) Johnson, of Attleboro; Matthew F. Johnson and his wife, Ann (Karagounis) Johnson, of Attleboro; Melissa C. (Johnson) Morales and her husband, Shawn Morales, of Attleboro; Anna C. MacPherson and her husband, Dr. Duncan Menge, of California and Emily B. (MacPherson) Kolby and her husband, Scott Kolby, of Washington State; seven great grandchildren: Natalie C. Johnson, Kathryn R. Johnson, Colin M. Johnson, Krista A. Johnson, Jacob S. Morales, Ethan P. Morales all of Attleboro and Elin Menge of California; a sister: Elsa (Johnson) Lundgren; a brother: Elsworth Johnson of Florida and several extended family members and friends. He was the father of the late Christine F. (Johnson) MacPherson who died on June 30, 1996. Family and friends are cordially invited to attend visitation on Sunday, August 26, 2012 from 4:00 - 7:00 PM in the Sanctuary of the Evangelical Covenant Church, 841 North Main Street - Route 152, Attleboro. Those in need of a ride to visitation may call the funeral home at (508) 695-0200 to make an advance reservation for such gratis transportation. Relatives and friends are cordially invited to attend a Funeral Service on Monday, August 27, 2012 at 1:00 PM at the Evangelical Covenant Church, 841 North Main Street - Route 152, Attleboro, with the Rev. Douglas J. Bixby, Senior Pastor, officiating. Graveside services will follow in Woodlawn Cemetery, Attleboro. Family and friends will be cordially invited to join the family for a time of continued fellowship and refreshment in the Fellowship Hall of the Evangelical Covenant Church following cemetery services. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Mr. Johnson's name may be made to either the Evangelical Covenant Church Memorial Fund, PO Box 208, Attleboro, MA 02703 or to the Resident Activities Fund at the Life Care Center of Attleboro, 969 Park Street, Attleboro, MA 02703. To send the family a written expression of sympathy, please visit an online guest book located on the internet at www.dyer-lakefuneralhome.com . Arrangements are under the direction of the Dyer-Lake Funeral Home, 161 Commonwealth Avenue - the national historic Colonel Obed Robinson Home, Village of Attleboro Falls, North Attleboro. (508) 695-0200.