Richard Johnson

Richard “Dick” Dean Johnson passed away on February 8th, 2022, in Branson, Missouri

Richard “Dick” Dean Johnson passed away on February 8th, 2022, in Branson, Missouri, at the age of 93. Richard grew up in Joplin, Missouri, and enlisted with the United States Marine Corp in 1948 and fought in the Chosin Battle of the Korean War in the Winter of 1950. He was one of only 15 survivors in his company of 255 marines, who were cut off by the Chinese Military in the northern region of Korea, near the Chosin reservoir. This epic battle, in which the UN forces totaling 30,000 troops were substantially outnumbered by 120,000 Chinese troops but fought their way south to a secured area for evacuation by sea after surviving 3 grueling weeks in the Mountains of North Korea with temperatures as cold as -38F. Richard was recently acknowledged for his participation in the Korean War Chosin Battle and one of few survivors, by Missouri State and Federal Congressional members with presentations in Branson, Missouri. (See more info on this in the Jan 14, 2022, edition of the Branson Globe newspaper). In addition, the Mayor of Branson, Missouri, proclaimed January 20th as Richard D. Johnson Day to acknowledge Richard's service and loyalty to our country.

Following his 4 years of service, Richard attended Missouri University, married Jacqueline Ann Scott, and earned a BS in Civil Engineering. Richard and Jacquie moved to Ponca City, Oklahoma, in 1956 where Richard began working for Conoco Inc. Project Development group. Richard took early retirement in 1982 and became an employee of Aramco Oil Company in Daharan, Saudi Arabia working on various Oil/Gas project developments until 1989, when he and Jacquie returned to the U.S.  After approximately five-year stint working for Vista Chemicals in Houston, Texas, Richard retired and he and Jacquie lived in Breckenridge, Colorado, Naples, Florida, and Joplin, Missouri, before settling down in Branson, Missouri.

Richard was an avid sports fan and played on the Marine Corp Basketball team in Guam and Semi-Professional Baseball in the early 1950s for the Alba Aces in Joplin, Missouri. He also was actively involved with coaching Little League and Pony League baseball programs in Ponca City in the 1960s. 

Richard is survived by his wife, Jacquie; daughter, Jody Godfrey of Branson, Missouri; sons: Douglas Johnson and wife Elizabeth Johnson of Fallbrook, California, Gary Johnson of Palm Springs, California; grandchildren: Eric Bacon of Nashville, Tennessee, Lisa Parkstone of Wilmington, Delaware, Dustin Johnson of Laguna Nigel, California, Stephanie Carlson of Fallbrook, California, and Lauren Johnson of Dana Point, California.  In addition, Richard and Jacquie are survived by seven great grandsons: G.J. and Tyler Parkstone, Landon and Carter Bacon, Westley Carlson, Maverick Freeman, and Holden Johnson.

Richard was a member of the Church of Christ in Hollister, Missouri, a humble patriot, loving father and married to Jacquie for 68 wonderful years. Richard's kind and humble spirit and his dry wit will be greatly missed.

No formal services are planned at this time. Arrangements and cremation are under the direction of Cremations of the Ozarks. To leave an online condolence, please visit www.cremationsoftheozarks.com.