St. Clair County Obits

ORVAL DON JOHNSON

Hill & Son Funeral Home
Orval Don Johnson, January 1, 1930 - April 24, 2006
Services: Hill & Son Funeral Home Appleton City, Missouri 2:00 PM, Saturday, April 29, 2006
Officiating: Bob Fenwick and Steve Altheide
Visitation: Hill & Son Funeral Home Appleton City, Missouri Friday, April 28, 2006 7:00 – 8:30 PM
Military Graveside Service: Clinton VFW Post 1894
Interment: Lewellen Cemetery Rural Appleton City, Missouri
Memorials: Appleton City High School Scholarship Fund or Montrose High School Scholarship Fund

Orval Don Johnson, son of Cecilia Marie and Arthur William Johnson, was born January 1, 1930 in Kit Carson, Colorado. He passed away April 24, 2006 at Research Medical Center at the age of 76 years. Orval graduated from Kit Carson High School, and then earned his Bachelor of Science in Education degree at Colorado State. He moved to Missouri where he attended Missouri University at Columbia, later receiving his Masters in Education and his Specialist Degree at Central Missouri State in Warrensburg. Mr. Johnson called Appleton City his home beginning in 1959. His first job as an educator was with Appleton City High School where he served as principal, math and science teacher. He was a dedicated teacher giving up his lunch hour to help advanced students who asked for extra tutoring. He was hired by Central Missouri State in Warrensburg in 1967 as an academic advisor. He became the chairman of the academic advisory department during the 24 years he served the college. Orval also enjoyed raising cattle and farming in addition to his teaching and advisory careers. After his retirement from Central Missouri State, Orval was an advanced math teacher at Montrose High School from 1991 until the time of his death. Orval served his country in the Air Force during the Korean Conflict. He was a member of Missouri State Teacher’s Association, the St. Clair County Cattleman’s Association, the Farm Bureau, the American Legion, had served on the Appleton City School Board and the Ellett Memorial Hospital Board. Orval’s wit will long be remembered and cherished by those who worked with him, associated with him, or were taught by him. He almost never missed an event held at the high school and never met a stranger. He had an infectious smile and laugh enjoying those with whom he was associated and served. Preceding Orval in death were his daughter, Susan Renee Parker and three sisters, Pearl, Bernice and Lorraine. Survivors include his sons, Blair Johnson and wife Christy of Columbia, Missouri and Craig Johnson and wife Lisa of Appleton City, Missouri; one sister, Helen Koch of Grand Junction, Colorado; one brother, Alvin Johnson of Eugene, Oregon; six grandchildren, Jacob Turner, Kendra Turner, Kristy Young, Craig Johnson, Britney and Clint Johnson; one great-grandson, Kaiden Turner; and many nieces and nephews.