Ed Johnson

(From Parker Mortuary)

Edward LeRoy Johnson of Joplin, Missouri, passed away on Thursday, November 17, 2016 following a long illness.

Ed Johnson was born June 2, 1926, to Guy Wesley and Georgia Etta Johnson. Following graduation from Joplin High School in 1944, he joined the Navy Air Corps during World War II and served as a tail gunner on a dive bomber. After the war, he received his associate’s degree from Joplin Junior College in 1948 and a Bachelor’s of Science in Mining Engineering from the Missouri School of Mines and Metallurgy in Rolla, MO in 1950.

Ed was married to the late Lois Evelyn VanPool in 1956 and resided in Tulsa, OK. He is survived by two sons, Paul W. Johnson of Springfield, VA and Robert V. Johnson of High Point, NC. He is also survived by a niece, Marcia Dimmick of Overland Park, KS and a nephew, Dr. James Johnson of Pleasanton, CA.

After graduating, Mr. Johnson worked for the American Zinc, Lead and Smelting Company as a mining engineer working in Metaline Falls, WA and Joplin, MO. In 1956, Ed joined the U.S. Geological Survey in Tulsa where he became the regional geologist for the Mid-Continent region.

He belonged to several professional organizations including the Institute of Mining and Professional Engineers; The Tulsa Geological Society, the American Association of Petroleum Geologists and the American Institute of Professional Geologists serving as state president in 1972-1973.

After retirement from the U.S. Geological Survey, he served as a consulting geologist for L.R. Reeder and Associates and J.R. Wilson and Associates in Tulsa. He also served as the President of the Cresset Oil and Royalty Company of Joplin.

Mr. Johnson was a member of the Tulsa Kiwanis, The American Legion, the Joplin Museum Complex, the Twin Hills Country Club, the Joplin Elks, the Spiva Center for the Arts and the Merle Evans Tent of the Circus Fans of America.

Graveside services will be Tuesday, November 22, 2016 at 11:00 a.m. in Mount Hope Cemetery.

The family will receive friends at Parker Mortuary on Tuesday from 9:30 until 10:30 a.m.