Obituary of John R. Johnson, Jr. JOHN R. L. JOHNSON JR. (headline) THE NEWS JOURNAL - 12-29-2003 John R. Johnson, Jr., 97, formerly of Chadds Ford, PA died at his home in Rockland, DE on December 23, 2003. Born in Franklin, Va., Mr. Johnson received his early education in Franklin and in Radford, Va. He received in A.B. degree at the College of William and Mary in 1928 and a M.A. degree in philosophy in 1929. He was a member of Phi Beta Kappa. He taught and was the principal of a high school at Fieldale, Henry County, Va., during 1929-1930; was assistant librarian at the College of William and Mary, 1930 - 1932; and entered Harvard Law School in 1932 receiving his LLB degree in 1935. He was research assistant to Professor Williston on the second edition of "Williston on Contracts: in 1935. Mr. Johnson worked as a junior attorney for 6 months with the Security Exchange Commission before becoming associated with Hercules Powder Company in January 1936, as assistant general counsel in the Legal Department in Wilmington. Mr. Johnson was admitted to the Virginia Bar Association in June 1932. He was admitted to the Delaware Bar in June 1937 and was a member of the American and Delaware Bar Associations. He served as counsel for the Hercules-operated Radford Ordinance Plant. In 1940, and as counsel for the Hercules-operated Volunteer Ordinance Works in 1941. In 1942, he returned to Wilmington as assistant general counsel of the Legal Department. He was named director of the department and general counsel in 1949. Mr. Johnson was named to the Board of Directors of Hercules Powder Company in January 1954. In 1955 he was elected vice-president, a member of the Executive Committee and a member of the Finance Committee. Mr. Johnson served as a member of the Board of Directors for the College of William and Mary Alumni Society from 1956-1962, and served as president from 1957 - 1958. He received the Alumni Medallion in 1963. In 1970, Mr. Johnson was named to the Board of Visitors of the College of William and Mary. He served as Vick Rector for the Board from 1974-1976 and as Rector from 1976 - 1978. Mr. Johnson served on the Federal Finance Committee of the Council of State Chambers of Commerce, Washington, D.C. and was a director of the Wilmington YMCA, Blue Cross Shield of Delaware and the Delaware Citizens Crime Commission. He belonged to the Wilmington Country Club, Wilmington Club, Hercules Country Club and to several honorary fraternities. He was also one of the original members of the Association of General Counsels. He is survived by his wife, Ruth Nell Johnson of Rockland Mills, DE; a daughter, Mrs. Susan Tulloch of Lewes, DE; 2 sons, DeForest Johnson of Kennett Square, PA and John R.L. Johnson, III of Charlotte, NC and 2 stepchildren, Brien Neill of Port Ludlow, Washington and Laura Neill of Jackson, MS. In addition, Mr. Johnson is survived by 13 grandchildren; and 19 great-grandchildren. Mr. Johnson was preceded in death by his first wife, Joseph Lucas Johnson. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, December 27 at 2 p.m. at Christ Church Christana Hundred, Buck Road, Greenville, DE. Burial will be private. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions to The College of William and Mary, P.O. Box 1693, Williamsburg, VA 23187. Arrangement by Chandler Funeral Homes. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ––– Narrative Summary of the Obituary ––– John R. Johnson, Jr., 97, formerly of Chadds Ford, PA, died at his home in Rockland, DE on 23 Dec 2003. He was a well-educated man, having earned degrees from the College of William and Mary and Harvard Law School. Johnson worked for Hercules Powder Company and contributed significantly to various boards and committees, including the College of William and Mary Alumni Society. He is survived by his wife, Ruth Nell Johnson, their children, and numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Mr. Johnson was preceded in death by his first wife, Joseph Lucas Johnson. A memorial service for Mr. Johnson was held on Saturday, 27 Dec 2003 at 2 p.m. at Christ Church Christiana Hundred, Buck Road, Greenville, DE. Burial was private. ––– Transcript ––– JOHN R. L. JOHNSON JR. THE NEWS JOURNAL - 29 Dec 2003 John R. Johnson, Jr., 97, formerly of Chadds Ford, PA died at his home in Rockland, DE on 23 Dec 2003. Born in Franklin, Va., Mr. Johnson received his early education in Franklin and in Radford, Va. He received in A.B. degree at the College of William and Mary in 1928 and a M.A. degree in philosophy in 1929. He was a member of Phi Beta Kappa. He taught and was the principal of a high school at Fieldale, Henry County, Va., during 1929-1930; was assistant librarian at the College of William and Mary, 1930 - 1932; and entered Harvard Law School in 1932 receiving his LLB degree in 1935. He was research assistant to Professor Williston on the second edition of "Williston on Contracts: in 1935. Mr. Johnson worked as a junior attorney for 6 months with the Security Exchange Commission before becoming associated with Hercules Powder Company in January 1936, as assistant general counsel in the Legal Department in Wilmington. Mr. Johnson was admitted to the Virginia Bar Association in June 1932. He was admitted to the Delaware Bar in June 1937 and was a member of the American and Delaware Bar Associations. He served as counsel for the Hercules-operated Radford Ordinance Plant. In 1940, and as counsel for the Hercules-operated Volunteer Ordinance Works in 1941. In 1942, he returned to Wilmington as assistant general counsel of the Legal Department. He was named director of the department and general counsel in 1949. Mr. Johnson was named to the Board of Directors of Hercules Powder Company in January 1954. In 1955 he was elected vice-president, a member of the Executive Committee and a member of the Finance Committee. Mr. Johnson served as a member of the Board of Directors for the College of William and Mary Alumni Society from 1956-1962, and served as president from 1957 - 1958. He received the Alumni Medallion in 1963. In 1970, Mr. Johnson was named to the Board of Visitors of the College of William and Mary. He served as Vick Rector for the Board from 1974-1976 and as Rector from 1976 - 1978. Mr. Johnson served on the Federal Finance Committee of the Council of State Chambers of Commerce, Washington, D.C. and was a director of the Wilmington YMCA, Blue Cross Shield of Delaware and the Delaware Citizens Crime Commission. He belonged to the Wilmington Country Club, Wilmington Club, Hercules Country Club and to several honorary fraternities. He was also one of the original members of the Association of General Counsels. He is survived by his wife, Ruth Nell Johnson of Rockland Mills, DE; a daughter, Mrs. Susan Tulloch of Lewes, DE; 2 sons, DeForest Johnson of Kennett Square, PA and John R.L. Johnson, III of Charlotte, NC and 2 stepchildren, Brien Neill of Port Ludlow, Washington and Laura Neill of Jackson, MS. In addition, Mr. Johnson is survived by 13 grandchildren; and 19 great-grandchildren. Mr. Johnson was preceded in death by his first wife, Joseph Lucas Johnson. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, 27 Dec at 2 p.m. at Christ Church Christana Hundred, Buck Road, Greenville, DE. Burial will be private. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions to The College of William and Mary, P.O. Box 1693, Williamsburg, VA 23187. Arrangement by Chandler Funeral Homes. ––– Vital Statistics ––– |-----------------------------------------------| | Field | Value | |-------|---------------------------------------| | Name | John R. Johnson, Jr. | | Age | 97 | | Birth | 23 Dec 1906; Franklin, VA (estimated) | | Death | 23 Dec 2003; Rockland, DE | |-----------------------------------------------| ––– Table of Relationships ––– |-------------------------------------------------------------------| | Name | Relationship | Place of Residence | |------------------------|---------------------|--------------------| | John R. Johnson, Jr. | Decedent | Rockland, DE | | Ruth Nell Johnson | Spouse | Rockland Mills, DE | | Mrs. Susan Tulloch | Daughter | Lewes, DE | | DeForest Johnson | Son | Kennett Square, PA | | John R.L. Johnson, III | Son | Charlotte, NC | | Brien Neill | Stepchild | Port Ludlow, WA | | Laura Neill | Stepchild | Jackson, MS | | 13 grandchildren | Grandchildren | Various | | 19 great-grandchildren | Great-grandchildren | Various | |-------------------------------------------------------------------| ––– Publication Details ––– |-----------------------------| | Field | Value | |----------|------------------| | Location | Rockland, DE | | Name | THE NEWS JOURNAL | | Date | 29 Dec 2003 | | Edition | Not specified | | Section | Not specified | | Page | Not specified | |-----------------------------| ––– Other Relevant Information ––– • Mr. Johnson was a graduate of the College of William and Mary and Harvard Law School. • He was a member of Phi Beta Kappa. • Mr. Johnson had a distinguished career in law and corporate governance, including roles at Hercules Powder Company and various boards. [See also: www.findagrave.com/cemetery/47548/memorial-search?firstname=John&lastname=R Johnson&cemeteryName=Greenwood Cemetery&deathyear=2003 www.findagrave.com/cemetery/47548/val=greenwood-cemetery&length=18 ] [Contributed by Bruce Saunders, bs4403@verizon.net] --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- [Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools may have contributed to the creation of this text. Please verify critical information, as AI-generated content can include errors.] [This file is https://go-stp.com/BruceObituaries/ShowText.html?Johnson, John R L.txt]