In Memory Of
James Henry Johnston
1925
2014
James Henry Johnston
March 15, 1925 — June 25, 2014
James (Rocky) Henry Johnston
Rocky was born March 15, 1925 in Chauncey, Ohio to Rodney and Gertrude Johnston. Rocky passed peacefully at Mount Carmel West Hospital on June 25, 2014 from a stroke. Rocky was the third of thirteen children.
Rocky was Captain of his high school football team and President of his senior class. In 1999, Rocky's athletic achievement was recognized and he was inducted to the Athens High School Athletic Hall of Fame. It was in high school where Rocky met his lifetime sweetheart, Shirley Ryan.
WWII broke out and Rocky joined the United States Navy. He was part of the United States Navy's D Day invasion force that landed in Normandy at Omaha Beach. Rocky was one of the first American's to hit Omaha Beach. Rocky volunteered and swam in with the soldier's life line tied to his waist and secured the life line on the beach to help the troops in their advance in the rising tides. Rocky was wounded but recovered. He was awarded the Bronze Star for his valor on that historic day.
Rocky returned home and married his sweetheart, Shirley Nadine Ryan. They were married 55 years before Shirley passed in 2000. Rocky and Shirley moved to Columbus in 1947. Rocky began his career The Ohio Bell Telephone Company and retired with 35 years of service. Rocky and Shirley bought their first home in Grove City, Ohio and that is where they had their only child, Timothy. Rocky was part of a team with AT&T. He and Shirley lived in Tehran, Iran, working to help modernize the telephone system.
Rocky enjoyed fishing with his son Tim and he loved the Buckeyes. He was associated with The Ohio State University for over 20 years - part of the official statistics team for Buckeye Football and Basketball. Rocky was the official Ohio State statistician on the world-wide NBC radio broadcast crew for the 1969 Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California. He was a proud Buckeye until the day he passed.
After Rocky retired from Ohio Bell he and Shirley bought a small home in Inverness, Florida, where they enjoyed retirement. Rocky and Shirley welcomed Harolene Morgan into the Johnston family as Tim's bride in 1979. Tim and Harolene gifted them with a granddaughter, Jenna. Jenna, now a nurse at Mount Carmel West Hospital, was at her Grandpa's beside with her Mom and Dad the day Rocky passed.
Rocky was a true American Hero, a loving husband, father and grandfather. He was a true gentleman. He was loved and respected by all he touched. Rest well Rocky and enjoy eternity with Shirley.
Rocky will be entombed at Greenlawn Cemetery with Shirley. No showings will be held. A private military funeral service will be held at Greenlawn Cemetery to honor Rocky. No flowers please. Please remember Rocky with a donation to the Alzheimer's Foundation.
Good bye Dad, we love you.
Rocky was born March 15, 1925 in Chauncey, Ohio to Rodney and Gertrude Johnston. Rocky passed peacefully at Mount Carmel West Hospital on June 25, 2014 from a stroke. Rocky was the third of thirteen children.
Rocky was Captain of his high school football team and President of his senior class. In 1999, Rocky's athletic achievement was recognized and he was inducted to the Athens High School Athletic Hall of Fame. It was in high school where Rocky met his lifetime sweetheart, Shirley Ryan.
WWII broke out and Rocky joined the United States Navy. He was part of the United States Navy's D Day invasion force that landed in Normandy at Omaha Beach. Rocky was one of the first American's to hit Omaha Beach. Rocky volunteered and swam in with the soldier's life line tied to his waist and secured the life line on the beach to help the troops in their advance in the rising tides. Rocky was wounded but recovered. He was awarded the Bronze Star for his valor on that historic day.
Rocky returned home and married his sweetheart, Shirley Nadine Ryan. They were married 55 years before Shirley passed in 2000. Rocky and Shirley moved to Columbus in 1947. Rocky began his career The Ohio Bell Telephone Company and retired with 35 years of service. Rocky and Shirley bought their first home in Grove City, Ohio and that is where they had their only child, Timothy. Rocky was part of a team with AT&T. He and Shirley lived in Tehran, Iran, working to help modernize the telephone system.
Rocky enjoyed fishing with his son Tim and he loved the Buckeyes. He was associated with The Ohio State University for over 20 years - part of the official statistics team for Buckeye Football and Basketball. Rocky was the official Ohio State statistician on the world-wide NBC radio broadcast crew for the 1969 Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California. He was a proud Buckeye until the day he passed.
After Rocky retired from Ohio Bell he and Shirley bought a small home in Inverness, Florida, where they enjoyed retirement. Rocky and Shirley welcomed Harolene Morgan into the Johnston family as Tim's bride in 1979. Tim and Harolene gifted them with a granddaughter, Jenna. Jenna, now a nurse at Mount Carmel West Hospital, was at her Grandpa's beside with her Mom and Dad the day Rocky passed.
Rocky was a true American Hero, a loving husband, father and grandfather. He was a true gentleman. He was loved and respected by all he touched. Rest well Rocky and enjoy eternity with Shirley.
Rocky will be entombed at Greenlawn Cemetery with Shirley. No showings will be held. A private military funeral service will be held at Greenlawn Cemetery to honor Rocky. No flowers please. Please remember Rocky with a donation to the Alzheimer's Foundation.
Good bye Dad, we love you.
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