Raymond Willard Johnson, Jr.

Raymond Willard Johnson, Jr., 77, of East Washington Street, North Attleboro, a leading metallurgist and business co-founder, died on Friday, September 30, 2011 at the Madonna Manor Nursing Home in North Attleboro following a period of declining health. He was the beloved husband of Flora L. (Hoyt) Johnson to whom he was married on April 24, 1954. Born in Attleboro, Massachusetts on August 26, 1934, he was a son of the late Raymond W. Johnson, Sr. and Ruth (Mohr) Johnson. Raised and educated in the City of Attleboro, Mr. Johnson attended Attleboro public schools and earned a Masters degree from Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island. He proudly served his country as a member of the United States Navy aboard the USS Baltimore having served from his enlistment on August 29, 1951 until his honorable discharge on May 16, 1954. He was always proud of his military service and remained a true patriot. Mr. Johnson began his career in the clad metals industry many years ago having first been employed by the former Metals and Control Company and later Texas Instruments followed by D.E. Makepeace where his skills were utilized in research and development and where he was part of a team that first bonded Teflon to metal. In later years, Mr. Johnson was the co-founder and operator of the former American Clad Metals Company in Pawtucket, Rhode Island with whom he was affiliated with for more than ten years. He resided in North Attleboro since 1998 having previously resided in Attleboro, Seekonk and Arizona. Mr. Johnson raised replacement herd Holstein Cattle and worked closely with the University of Rhode Island and the University of Pennsylvania to develop a saw-dust based animal feed. He was a member of the Veteran of Foreign War Post 115 and the American Legion Post 20 both in Attleboro. An ardent gardener, he grew cacti and had a magical and green thumb and was able to grow marigolds to more than seven feet high. Previously, Mr. Johnson wrote a gardening column for My Backyard newspaper. He had numerous interests and a lifelong fascination with science. In addition to his wife of 57 years, he leaves five children: Michael T. Johnson of Johnston, Rhode Island; David R. Johnson of North Attleboro; Lisa E. Murray of Tempe, Arizona; Tracey A. Poland of South Attleboro and Nancy L. DeRouin of Brookline, Connecticut; 13 grandchildren; four great grandchildren; expecting his first great great grandchild; three sisters: Louise Baumgartel of Attleboro; Florence Paille of Attleboro and Amy Long of Plainville; a brother: Roy Johnson of Taunton and numerous nieces, nephews, extended family members and dear friends. He was the father of the late Robin C. Hathaway who died on November 19, 2000 and was the brother of the late Dorothy Radnor and Barbara Watson. Family and friends are cordially invited to attend a memorial gathering with Veterans Honors on Saturday, October 8, 2011 from 9:30 10:30 AM in the Memorial Chapel of the Dyer-Lake Funeral Home the national historic Colonel Obed Robinson Home, 161 Commonwealth Avenue (exit 5 off I-95 N or S, go right at end of ramp, mile on left), Village of Attleboro Falls, North Attleboro. Childrens room available during the memorial gathering and time of reflection. Relatives and friends are cordially invited to attend Time of Reflection and Remembrance with Military Honors immediately following visitation on Saturday, October 8, 2011 at 10:30 AM in the Memorial Chapel of the Dyer-Lake Funeral Home the national historic Colonel Obed Robinson Home, 161 Commonwealth Avenue (exit 5 off I-95 N or S, go right at end of ramp, mile on left), Village of Attleboro Falls, North Attleboro with his son, Pastor David R. Johnson, officiating. Burial will be private. Following funeral home services an invitation will be extended to join the family for a time of continued fellowship and refreshments at a location to be announced. Please omit flowers. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Mr. Johnsons name may be made to the Dyer-Lake Charitable Foundation, Inc., a registered 501 (c) (3) organization, 161 Commonwealth Avenue, North Attleboro, MA 02760 to benefit the Resident Activities Fund of Madonna Manor. For additional information or 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 entrusted to the Dyer-Lake Funeral Home, 161 Commonwealth Avenue, Village of Attleboro Falls, North Attleboro. (508) 695-0200.