Roger D. Johnson,
Jr.
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Obituary
Roger Dean Johnson, Jr. was born to Roger and J. Suzanne
Barkmeier Johnson on October 30, 1961, at Friend, NE and passed away on
December 15, 2015 at Warren Memorial Hospital in Friend, NE at the age
of 54 years, 1 month and 15 days. He was one of three children in the
family.
Roger was baptized, confirmed and married at St. Stephen’s
Catholic Church in Exeter, NE. After graduating fron Exeter High School
in May of 1980, he went to Southeast Community College in Milford, NE
and graduated in March of 1982 with a degree in Diesel Technology.
Roger married Lisa Volkmer on August 20, 1982 and to this
marriage there were two children born, Jessica on December 19, 1985, and
Keegan on March 3, 1989. He joined the family farm after graduation and
was a cattle feeder for several years. He had lots of good hired men to
help him with all the farming duties and thoroughly enjoyed working with
them all.
On September 16, 2000, Roger married Margaret Koca and to them
one child was born Elijah Johnson on November 12, 2001. Roger served on the St. Stephen Catholic Church Board, was a member of the Knights of Columbus and served as the Secretary, and was an active Acolyte since 1988. He enjoyed being on the altar with both of his sons.
Roger was a proud member of the Cordova Fire Department, since
November of 1984 serving as a Vice President for several years, just
couldn’t take the next step as President.
Roger was active in Boy Scouts as a youth, and later helped
Keegan with his badges.
Roger was a member of the Exeter Feeder’s and Breeder’s from
1996 to 2007 and on their Board of Directors for eight years and served
as Secretary, Vice President and President.
In Roger’s spare time, he loved working with wood and made
several projects for his family, friends, and refinished lots of items
for people. In 2010, a new basement was put on at the house and he made
sure he had room for an oak bar that he designed and crafted.
Roger was also known as the “fix-it-guy.” He was a “jack of all
trades” and he would say “master of none.” He pretty much could fix or
repair most everything, if he couldn’t figure it out, duct tape or
gorilla tape, bailing wire, or his favorite, a vise grip, in which he
used to hold together the combine so he could finish harvesting one
year.. His goal was always to be done before his birthday, and usually
this goal was achieved.
He was blessed to have O positive blood type and able to donate
five gallons of blood.
An important goal on his bucket list was to learn how to scuba
dive. He mastered the task and received the green light. He went to
Puerto Rico, Cozumel Mexico, and was planning a trip this next year to
another great unknown.
He enjoyed spending time with his family and friends, doing
numerous things from boating, fishing, golfing, skiing, hunting,
sledding and enjoying a bowl of warm chili with Fritos, shredded
mozzarella cheese, and sour cream, watching movies, hanging out by his
bar, going out to eat, visiting with neighbors, working on projects,
grilling and smoking various types of meats.
Roger is survived by his wife of 15 years, Margaret of Exeter,
NE, children Jessica & husband Joe Fehlhafer, Friend, NE, Keegan &
Kathleen Johnson, Lincoln, NE and Elijah Johnson of Exeter, NE. Parents,
Roger and Jane Suzanne Johnson, Exeter, sisters and brothers-in-law,
Shari & Bill Miller, Clay Center, NE and Cindy & Kent Manning, Fairmont,
NE, nieces and nephews, Derek & Danielle Miller, Lincoln, NE, Shannon
and Aaron Tebo, Robinson, TX, Tyler Manning, Lincoln, NE, Brooke Manning
& Mitchell Manning, Fairmont, NE, one great nephew Miller Tebo,
Robinson, TX. Parents-in-law Joe and Pat Koca, Exeter. Sister-in-law
Christine and David Michl, Friend, NE, brother-in-law Richard and Barb
Koca, Fairmont, NE, Aunt Marilyn and Uncle Alvin Vyhnalek, Crete, NE,
Aunt Sylvia Springer, Sun City, AZ, Great Aunt Eyvonne Johnson, Exeter,
NE, numerous nieces and nephews, cousins, and friends.
Preceeded in death by grandparents Emory and Dagmar Johnson, and
Louis and Lucile Barkmeier, Uncle Dean Weber, Uncle George “Milo”
Springer, Uncle Emory Allen Johnson, Uncle Lee and Aunt Shirley Zimmer,
and Great Uncle Arden Johnson.
A Tribute to Roger Roger Johnson Jr. was not only the best son, brother, father, husband and friend that he could be, he helped people that he didn't know. He donated his body after death, so that others might live. That was typical for Rog. He always put others first. He was an Acolyte in the church for many years. He was going to be one at Christmas Eve Mass. He helped remodel the church and build the Parish Hall. He was a volunteer for the fire department also. He loved to build things and fix things as a young boy. Melvin Stych gave him three mowers to play with that Melvin brought over because he was told that they weren't worth fixing. Rog was in elementary school at the time. He got them running again. He gave them back to Melvin. Melvin gave one of them to him for his efforts. We had that mower for a long time. He became a diesel mechanic in college. Roger loved woodworking, hence, the wooden casket. He built most of the cabinets in his house and refinished most rooms. He totally finished his new basement with some help from us, cousins and friends. He made gifts for us like calendar frames, a wooden sled, for display only! I wasn't about to send that beautiful piece of work out into the snow. My brother told me later that he know I wouldn't. He made one for his own children too. He made furniture for us, and Mom and Dad. Many friends have his craftwork in their homes. He also used his time in the winter, when he wasn't working with his cattle, fixing farm machinery or playing with his family, to refinish antiques for others. His work was beautiful! When he did something, he did it right. Before there were tractors that could drive themselves through the field, he had some of the straightest rows of corn, beans, etc. He loved his family and friends deeply. As children we would play outside every day, most often, with friends at our sides. Neighbor kids can tell you we had some of the best times together. Horseback riding, biking, riding mini trail motorcycles, having a play house in every barn and building on the farm. Rog even hooked up running water in the chicken house. In winter we would ice skate, playing hockey, go sledding, build snow forts, etc. Always having fun. Rog would follow Dad around, helping him in any way he could. He would help his grandparents as well. He grew up to love farming and nature. He enjoyed hunting also. We would go the Colorado, South Dakota, or Wyoming on most summer vacations. Our family loved the mountains. We still do! As adults, Mon and Dad would send us to Colorado in their 5th wheel camper. We would take turns using it for a week, then Mon and Dad would come and stay in it at the end of the month. Rog would bring his family early to spend time with us once in a while. It was more fun when we are all together. We left Mon and Dad with a homemade sign in the camper window that said "Welcome to the Cram-A-Lot Inn!" Spelled INN! There were seven of us in it at the time. Rog loved scuba diving. He had called Bill and sister Cindy to see if they could go on a trip with him and had talked to both of them about it the morning before he died of a seizure. Dean, thank you for being there. He loved his family, friends, and God so much. His faith kept him going through good times and bad. He left behind a legacy of three children, Jessica, Keegan and Eli. They carry on with the same ability to show love, kindness and compassion to others that he taught them. There is a deep void in our hearts, we want him back! We know that he is wrapped up and cradled in God's arms watching over us right now. We know that he lives on in others who received the gift of life from his organs and body. You taught others to be caring and show dignity to everyone by your example that you set. God has a special purpose for him in heaven. This Christmas he is watching over us, sending his love from heaven. We send our love to you Rog! From your sisters, parents and friends! Shari Miller
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