Dorr "Butch" Johnson, Jr.

Compassionate, proud, dedicated, hardworking these are just a few of many words that describe Dorr Butch Johnson, Jr. A very modest man, proud of all his family, yet filled with a generous nature. Butch cared deeply for his family and showed it by providing faithfully for them and sharing much love and laughter. The year 1943 found the United States deeply engulfed in the battles of World War II. While generals celebrated the dedication of the Pentagon, thousands of miles away soldiers engaged in the Battle of Guadalcanal, defeating the Japanese troops. In Muskegon, Michigan, Dorr James Johnson, Sr. and his wife, June Lucille (Twining), were having a celebration of their own. Already the proud parents of two daughters, Barb and Betty, on November 22, 1943, they welcomed the birth of their first son, Dorr Jr. or Butch, as he was called. Butch and his sisters were later joined by four younger siblings, sister, Dody, twins, Steve and Stan, and Larry, who completed the Johnson household. Butch was born and raised in Muskegon, where his father earned a living as a cabinetmaker at E.H. Sheldon and later at another company in Grand Rapids. His mother was a traditional homemaker. Along with his siblings, Butch attended Sunday school at Fruitland Evangelical Covenant Church and it was here that he first met Rosella Ro Beegle. In fact, they would frequently go out in the woods together during services and smoke. Butch didnt know it at the time, but this childhood friendship would lead to significant and wonderful changes for him in later years. From his earliest day, Butch was a hard worker, and at 14, he rode his bike back and forth to work in the celery fields for $.25 an hour. He was also a good student in the Whitehall Public Schools, where he graduated in 1961. Like many young men of the time, Butch enlisted in the U.S. Army and proudly served his country during the Vietnam Conflict. He received his honorable discharge in 1967. To celebrate his first night out of the service, Butch went to a friends house, where he bumped into Ro again. The two were quickly reacquainted and thereafter inseparable. Hopelessly in love, Butch and Ro were happily married on February 17, 1968, and had two wonderful children: Paula and James. A hard and dedicated worker, Butch worked at ALCOA Howmet for 40 years; he was a welder for 14 years before transferring to the HIP Department. He was also a proud member of the union. Butch was so deeply committed to his work that his family jokingly said he lived there more than at home. Nonetheless, he succeeded in providing the best for his family. When it came to getting away, the family enjoyed going camping with Ros parents, particularly in the Upper Peninsula, where they went rock hunting, which Ros father made into jewelry. The most picturesque place they loved to visit was Two Hearted River that flows into Lake Superior. One of Butchs favorite places to be at home was in the kitchen. Like his mother, he was a fantastic baker, especially cakes, and he made many for graduations, Cub Scouts and holidays. He was also the only one who could make the turkey for family gatherings on Thanksgiving, Christmas and Easter. Butch was a man full of pride - for his family, his work and his beliefs. Yet, he also possessed the kindest, most generous heart, which he shared with everyone around him. He loved to shower his beloved wife with unexpected gifts of jewelry, and he was always giving some kind of monetary donation to childrens charities. A proud Grandpa, Butch simply adored his 4 grandchildren, and he loved to spoil them with gifts and most importantly, his love, every chance he got. Butch had many hobbies he pursued in his leisure time, one of which was collecting frog memorabilia. He was a die-hard fan of the Michigan Wolverines and the Red Wings. In fact, he just recently saw the Wings win big over the Sharks (6-0). In April, Butch and Ro also got the opportunity to go to Florida with their daughter and son-in-law, and it was a truly wonderful time for everyone. Butch especially loved riding around in the golf cart! Funny, Butch had this habit of looking in the Saturday newspaper at the obituaries, just to make sure his name wasnt there. Butch courageously battled cancer for a time with the constant love and care of his beloved wife Ro, who was by his bedside until the end. Butch died on Friday, December 19, 2008, at the age of 65. He will be lovingly remembered for his generous spirit, his dedication and his unconditional love for his family. He will be dearly missed. Butch is survived by his wife of 40 years, Rosella "Ro"; son, James, and daughter, Paula (Dan) Potts, both of Muskegon; 4 grandchildren: Kennedy & Logan Potts, Jesse & Jillian Johnson; mother, June Johnson of Muskegon; 2 sisters, Betty (Bob) Larabee of Muskegon, Dody (Mark) Hill of IN; 3 brothers: Stan (Mary) Johnson of SC, Steven Johnson, Larry (Lori) Johnson, both of Muskegon; mother-in-law, Corky Beegle of Muskegon; many brothers & sisters-in-law. He was preceded in death by his father, Dorr Johnson, Sr., and his sister, Barb DeCheney. Funeral services for Dorr will be held on Tuesday, December 23, at 11:00 a.m. at Fruitland Evangelical Covenant Church with Pastor Brian Kyle officiating. Interment will be at Fruitland Township Cemetery. Relatives and friends may visit with his family on Tuesday, 1 hour prior to the service at Fruitland Evangelical Covenant Church. Memorial contributions may be made to Hackley VNS Hospice. Please visit Dorrs memory page at www.lifestorynet.com where you may share a memory with his family or sign his online guest book. Arrangements handled by Clock Life Story Funeral Home Muskegon.