Ronald Lee Johnson, 84, of Lincoln, died on March 13, 2019, in Burlingame, Calif., surrounded by his loving family. Born December 9, 1934, to Martin and Elfie Johnson, Ron grew up in Stromsburg, where he was a football QB and basketball center standout. He attended Luther Junior College and Midland University, where he met and married his first wife, Sally Ahlberg.

With a bachelor's degree in education, Ron was drafted into the U.S. Army. Ron started his career as a teacher, principal, and coach and later moved into admissions for 22 years between Doane College and Nebraska Wesleyan University. Ron transitioned into a career in insurance and developed a travel business, SOMA Tours, Inc.

Ron was a loving and committed father. At a time when gender-specific sports were the norm, Ron threw the football and baseball with his son and daughters. An accomplished dancer, Ron proudly escorted his daughters to every father/daughter dance.

Civic-minded, Ron served in leadership roles at church, the Norden Club, the Lincoln Association for Health Underwriters and the Boy Scouts of America.

In his final years, he reconnected with his childhood friend, Jackie Stanton Maupin. In 2007, they celebrated their commitment to each other.

Ron is survived by his spouse Jackie and his children Jeffrey (Tara), Jennifer (Chuck Fontana) and Juli as well as six grandchildren, two great-grandchildren and many loving nieces and nephews. Ron was preceded in death by his parents and siblings Verlin, Loreen, and Eileen.

A celebration of Ron's life will be at 10 am Friday, 3/29, at First Lutheran Church. Cremation, no visitation. In lieu of flowers, memorials to United Way of the Midlands https://www.unitedwaymidlands.org/nefloodrelief/ is requested.