Ralph Marvin Johnson

Ralph was born in Savannah, Georgia on August 14, 1939, and he left this world on June 10, 2024 in Omaha, Nebraska. He will be remembered by many as a man with an adventurous spirit who loved traveling, taking photographs, the outdoors, the sea, and his VW bus.

Ralph lived a full life in many places. His family moved from Georgia to Louisiana, and then settled in Aransas Pass, Texas where he grew up. He later served as a US Marine Embassy Guard in Libya and was also stationed in Italy. He married and raised two children, Ron and Liv, in the Pacific Northwest. He managed a commercial crab fishing ship in the Bering Sea, Alaska—the Deadliest Catch kind of work, and he retired in Seattle, Washington. 

In his sixties, Ralph revived his friendship with Nancy, someone he’d known well in high school in Aransas Pass. He moved to Omaha to marry her, and he loved her deeply. They traveled often together to see family in Washington, Texas, Illinois, and Italy. Later in life, Ralph practiced the art of bonsai, and he nurtured a yard friendly to cardinals among other backyard birds. He was known to be a terrific cook, with a gift for preparing black cod and Hoppin’ John. He loved walking with Nancy and Bear in Memorial Park. 

Ralph is preceded in death by his father, Ralph Mulford Johnson, his mother Martha (Bristow) Johnson, and his brother Charlie Johnson. Ralph is survived by his wife of 18 years, Nancy (Farley) Johnson. He is survived by son Ronald D. Johnson, daughter Liv Kristina Johnson, and Nancy’s adult children Valerie Anderson, Carol Light, Kristine Light and Roger Light. His grandchildren Krystal Madrid, Megan Johnson, Lily Johnson, Lexi Johnson, and great-grandchildren Hunter, Hallee, and Haizley Madrid will miss him. He is remembered with love by many nephews, nieces, cousins, and other family and friends. 

A memorial service celebrating Ralph Johnson’s life will be held on Saturday, July 13 at 2 pm in the garden at Nancy and Ralph’s Dundee home in Omaha. Please contact Val Light Anderson for address at Val.anderson@cox.net

Omaha Cremation Service - 4138 S 144th St., Omaha NE 68137 (402) 905-2727. www.OmahaCremationServices.com