Theodore Johnson

Theodore A. "Ted" Johnson, 88, of Greensburg, passed away peacefully at home Saturday, Dec. 30, 2017, surrounded by his family. Ted was born Aug. 15, 1929, in Youngstown, Ohio. He was the son of late Charles L. and Virginia Kerr Johnson, of Arcadia. He was an Army Sergeant First Class from 1949-1953, during the Korean conflict. He married June T. Bartlebaugh on June 6, 1953, in Arcadia. She preceded him in death in 2008. He worked for Bell Telephone Companies from 1953 until retirement in 1989 and was a member of the Bell Telephone Pioneers. He was a former councilman, assistant fire chief and Scoutmaster in Cherry Tree, receiving the Silver Beaver Award and the Daniel Carter Beard Award in Scouting. He attended numerous National and World Boy Scout jamborees. He was Past Master of Westmoreland Lodge No. 518 F and AM, member of Latrobe Lodge No. 309 and Ligonier Lodge No. 331, Coudersport Consistory, and was awarded Meritorious Service Award, held many positions in Syria Shrine, Westmorland Tall Cedars, Chapter, Commandery, and Grand Council of Pa., and many Scottish and York Rite Masonic organizations. Ted was a former paramedic for Mutual Aid Ambulance, a life member of the West Point Volunteer Fire Department, and a member of the Dry Ridge Volunteer Fire Department. He responded to fire calls for 62 years, until his health declined at 87. He was an avid Hempfield Area High School Band booster in the '70s and '80s. He was a member of the American Legion Post 0515 and VFW Post 03414, both in Latrobe. He was a member of Evangelical Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd, assisted in rebuilding homes with the Lutheran Emergency Response Team after Hurricane Katrina, delivered Meal on Wheels, and participated in other outreach projects. He enjoyed the outdoors and traveled to all 50 states, Canada, England, and Scotland. June and Ted had a craft business, June Bug and Teddbear Crafts. He also enjoyed doing clown and magic shows as Pixie the Clown. In addition to his parents and wife, he was preceded by his two brothers, Gilbert Zane Johnson and Gerald Emmett Johnson. He is survived by his children, Douglas (Teresa) Johnson, of Brockway, Rhonda (Richard) Colgan, of Johnstown, Dwight (JuLing), of Gulfport, Miss., and Geri Lee (Terry) Stone, of Forbes Road; ten grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.