Ira Johnson

Ira O. Johnson was born on Nov. 16, 1924, in Keota. He was the son of Grover Cleveland Johnson and Ada Olive (Bales) Johnson.  
He attended Gingle Mountain School in Keota. Ira was a corporal in the Army, serving from 1943 to 1945 with the 878th Bombardment Squadron.
He married Sarah Marie Brand on Feb. 22, 1951, in Van Buren, Ark. He retired from Burton Elementary School in California after 26 years of service as a school bus driver and custodian.
Ira was a great man of integrity. He served as a Sunday School superintendent and deacon at the Pentecostal Tabernacle in Porterville, Calif., where he loved to play his guitar and sing. He also served in jail ministry.
He was a wonderful husband, married for 66 years to Sarah Marie. He set a good example for his children and grandchildren and was very much loved by all.
Ira passed on to Heaven at Cox Medical Center, in Branson, Mo., on Tuesday, April 18, 2017, at the age of 92.
He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Floyd, Charley, Arlie, Oral and Harlon Johnson; and one sister, Estelle Shepherd.
He is survived by his wife, Sarah Marie Johnson of Forsyth; his children, Carolyn Johnson of Forsyth, Charles Johnson of Oroville, Wash., and Michael Simpson of Porterville, Calif.; four granddaughters, Marisa Johnson and Angela Johnson, both of Oregon, and Kelsey Simpson and Brenna Simpson, both of California; and two sisters, Lois Walley and Dema Sandlin of Porterville, Calif.
Ira loved reading and memorizing Bible scriptures. His favorite scriptures were Psalm 91, the Lord’s Prayer and the 23rd Psalm. His favorite song was “Lead Me Gently Home.”
Graveside services were held April 24 at Ozarks Memorial Park Cemetery, in Branson under the direction of Snapp-Bearden Funeral Home and Crematory.