Robert Johnson

Robert (Bob) Eugene Johnson, Sr., 86, of Harpers Ferry, West Virginia went to be with the Lord on Wednesday, July 15, 2015, after only a few hours in the Hospice Inpatient Facility. Born November 1, 1928 in Huntington, Texas he was the son of the late Columbus Jasper Johnson and Nellie Collins Johnson. Bob was a former Elder and Youth Leader at the Memorial Baptist Church in Temple, Texas. He began his career as the youngest train dispatcher ever hired by the Santa Fe (ATSF) Railroad, and worked his way up to retire as the President of the national labor organization representing every train dispatcher on every American railroad: the American Train Dispatcher Association. He was instrumental in the formation of the Railroad Retirement system (to protect and serve all railroad employees) and in the creation of Conrail to strengthen transportation in America. He had been an active community leader and entrepreneur and a member of the Fraternal Order of Masons. He was a real Texas Cowboy who loved family, fishing, singing, playing guitar and harmonica, and making people smile. He never met a stranger and would light up any room he entered. He is survived by his loving wife, Peggy La Verne Standard Johnson, at home; his son, Robert E. Johnson, Jr. and wife Mary Ruth of Murrieta, California; daughter, Deborah De Maris and husband Earl of Harpers Ferry, West Virginia. He had three grandchildren Michelle Apostolov and husband Kiril, and Claire and Jamie Johnson. Bob had 2 great grandchildren: Sophia and Chloe Apostolov. Robert's close family also includes Dr. Alfred and Gabrielle Demaris from Maumee, Ohio. In addition to his parents with him in heaven are his two sisters Lucille Moorehouse and Wanda Matchett. In the last five years he was told five times that the end was near, but the testament to his bull-headed strength and the love of his family was that he pulled a rabbit out of his hat again and again. The world was a brighter place because of this man. He will be missed by many. Funeral services will be held 2 p.m. Saturday, July 18, 2015 at the Jefferson Chapel, 114 N. Mildred Street, Ranson, West Virginia 25438 with Pastor Anne Murphy officiating. Interment will be in the Elmwood Cemetery, Shepherdstown, West Virginia. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service.