Robert Johnson

Robert Wayne “Bob” Johnson, 69, formerly of Oakland, Md., passed away Saturday, March 17, 2018, at his residence in Hellertown, Pa., after a long and courageous battle with cancer. Born in Keyser, W.Va., on April 16, 1948, he was the son of the late Eugene Neil Johnson and Martha Jane Lawton.

In addition to his mother, Bob is survived by his wife of almost 40 years Kimberly (Kelley) Johnson of Hellertown; daughter Mary Beth DeMartino and husband Ty and grandsons Holden and Samuel of Frostburg; son Robert Wayne Johnson, II, and grandson Jacob of Upper St. Clair, Pa. and granddaughter Jordan Swank of Markleysburg, Pa.; and daughter Shannon Germain and husband Eric and granddaughter Taylor and grandson Evan of Oakland. Bob loved his family and his 6 brothers and sisters that include Eugene Johnson and wife Mitsi of Corinth, Texas; Victoria Johnson of Oakland; Richard and the late Jenny Johnson of Winchester, Va.; Michael Johnson of Oakland; David Johnson and wife Julie of Quakertown, Pa.; and Lori Johnson of Salisbury, Pa.; as well as numerous nieces and nephews. He also had a special relationship with his cousin (who was more like a brother) Larry Ward and wife Debbie of Westminster, Md.

An avid reader, Bob loved history, baseball, politics and his country. He served two years in the U.S. Army, 2nd Infantry Division, in Korea during the Vietnam War, earning the rank of Sergeant. Always knowing the importance of hard work, Bob had his first job at age five when he was a paper carrier for The Cumberland Times-News. He later worked at Bethlehem Steel at Sparrows Point, Md., before returning to Oakland and joining Bausch & Lomb, where he spent 22 years in a variety of positions from frontline machine worker to eventually being promoted to the Vice President of Quality Assurance. Bob also owned and operated several businesses including Oak Grove Tavern and Midway Discount Liquors. In the mid 1990’s, he and his family moved to Plant City, Fla., where he worked in quality assurance for Glendale Technology. He spent the last 20 years in the Lehigh Valley of Pennsylvania, using his expertise and innovation in creating and manufacturing beauty products. Throughout his career, Bob had the opportunity to travel the world where he made long-lasting friendships with people from all walks of life and cultures. Bob had a passion for gardening, lawn care, cooking and music. He was known to often break into a Hank Williams or James Taylor song to the delight of his wife, Kim, his children and his grandchildren who lovingly called him “Poppy.”

Friends will be received at C&S Fredlock Funeral Home, P.A., in Oakland on Thursday, March 22, 2018, from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. A funeral service will be conducted on Friday, March 23, 2018, at 11 a.m. at St. Paul’s United Methodist Church in Oakland with Pastor John Skipper presiding. Interment will be at Oakland Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Lehigh Valley Hospice, 2024 Lehigh St., Suite 100, Allentown, Pa., 18103, or the Garrett County Historical Society, 107 South Second St., Oakland, Md., 21550.