Murray was another of those very special classmates...one who always was smiling and ready to listen and converse with anyone....Like many of our former classmates, Murray had a very real knack at making LHS a very special place to come to every school day. We were extremely lucky to have him pass through our lives.
Murray Douglas Johnson was born in Burke South Dakota to Herman and Mildred Johnson of Winner, SD. He retired from the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission as a Law Enforcement officer. Always ready with a joke or a delicious home-cooked meal, Murray loved spending time with his many friends and family. He cherished his grandchildren, Zeneya, Octavious, Amiya, Darrel and Kalani, and enjoyed hunting.
Murray is survived by his step-son Michael (Lisha) Coleman, step-daughter Wendy (Darrel) Thomas, sister Monica (Vance) Zuerlein, brothers Mickey (Nancy) Johnson and Mark (Debra) Johnson, Alan Sasse and Rennie (Annette) Sasse, sisters-in-law, Mary Johnson and Teresa Sasse, and numerous nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by wife Viola, son Jeffrey Johnson, granddaughter Viola, parents and brother Monte Johnson and brother Jim Sasse.
We attended church together before our high school days so got to know him pretty well there. Did the Sunday night youth program as well, possibly even skipping out early to catch a stock car race or two at Capitol Beach. Many good memories from the time. Rest in peace O friend of many. Dean
I remember meeting Murray my very first day and class at LHS. I feel fortunate to have had him in my life for those formative years. He was and I’m sure still is a happy soul!
R.I.P. Murray.... Other than knowing him in school... I used to see him at the Nebraska Game and Parks commission. Back in the day when I operated a sevice station on I-80 I was a tourist information center for the Game and Parks. Murray was a Game Warden and in this time period was working in the office. I would go in and pick up material and information promoting Nebraska and Murray was my contact person. We set it up that way. We would sit and visit and tell some tales for a time then go do what we did. I did get to see and visit with him and Vi at the reunions and enjoyed them both. Murray will be missed by ALL of us.....
Murray was my grade school crush; I do have one fond memory of him during that time...when May Basket Day was a big deal, we would decorate "cootie catcher" paper baskets with a paper handle, and we'd fill them with candies and lilacs. I remember my mom actually drove me to his house so I could run up to the door and back to the car without being caught - (if you were caught, the recipient could kiss you, which you secretly wished for, but were too painfully shy to let happen.) Later that day, Murray was driven to my house, to deliver his May basket; he was too fast, and altho I raced out the front door, I couldn't catch him! So two shy kids at least got the thrill of receiving a May basket, which stamped an indelible memory on our young minds! - I lost track of Murray for many years, and we finally reconnected when Vi had received word she had cancer; they would call me in Colorado to share the updates. They came to Mesa, AZ to visit a couple they knew who were snowbirds here, and invited me to lunch - we had a very good time, and afterward, they came to my humble home to see where I lived. Not many months after, Vi died. Murray would call me and I would try my best to be supportive, and let him know I was always available whenever he wanted to talk. I am having a hard time believing he is not with us anymore; for those of us who are left and feeling remorse that we didn't/couldn't do enough for him, the pain is great. He was such a positive force in so many lives, with a great laugh. He would always say, "Love ya gal!" when we hung up. Murray, I love you, too.
Dennis Lee Trippel
Murray was another of those very special classmates...one who always was smiling and ready to listen and converse with anyone....Like many of our former classmates, Murray had a very real knack at making LHS a very special place to come to every school day. We were extremely lucky to have him pass through our lives.
Ronald R. Kelly
June 17, 1945 - July 16, 2018
Murray Douglas Johnson was born in Burke South Dakota to Herman and Mildred Johnson of Winner, SD. He retired from the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission as a Law Enforcement officer. Always ready with a joke or a delicious home-cooked meal, Murray loved spending time with his many friends and family. He cherished his grandchildren, Zeneya, Octavious, Amiya, Darrel and Kalani, and enjoyed hunting.
Murray is survived by his step-son Michael (Lisha) Coleman, step-daughter Wendy (Darrel) Thomas, sister Monica (Vance) Zuerlein, brothers Mickey (Nancy) Johnson and Mark (Debra) Johnson, Alan Sasse and Rennie (Annette) Sasse, sisters-in-law, Mary Johnson and Teresa Sasse, and numerous nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by wife Viola, son Jeffrey Johnson, granddaughter Viola, parents and brother Monte Johnson and brother Jim Sasse.
Dean Dumler
We attended church together before our high school days so got to know him pretty well there. Did the Sunday night youth program as well, possibly even skipping out early to catch a stock car race or two at Capitol Beach. Many good memories from the time. Rest in peace O friend of many.Dean
Bill Barnes
I remember meeting Murray my very first day and class at LHS. I feel fortunate to have had him in my life for those formative years. He was and I’m sure still is a happy soul!
James Norman Atkins
R.I.P. Murray.... Other than knowing him in school... I used to see him at the Nebraska Game and Parks commission. Back in the day when I operated a sevice station on I-80 I was a tourist information center for the Game and Parks. Murray was a Game Warden and in this time period was working in the office. I would go in and pick up material and information promoting Nebraska and Murray was my contact person. We set it up that way. We would sit and visit and tell some tales for a time then go do what we did. I did get to see and visit with him and Vi at the reunions and enjoyed them both. Murray will be missed by ALL of us.....
Christopher Lougee (Lougee)
I will always remember that million dollar smile. Ever present.
Thomas Andrew Baker
We don't have enough Murray Johnsons in our world. What a great guy. We will all miss him.
Karis Geier (Loos)
Murray was my grade school crush; I do have one fond memory of him during that time...when May Basket Day was a big deal, we would decorate "cootie catcher" paper baskets with a paper handle, and we'd fill them with candies and lilacs. I remember my mom actually drove me to his house so I could run up to the door and back to the car without being caught - (if you were caught, the recipient could kiss you, which you secretly wished for, but were too painfully shy to let happen.) Later that day, Murray was driven to my house, to deliver his May basket; he was too fast, and altho I raced out the front door, I couldn't catch him! So two shy kids at least got the thrill of receiving a May basket, which stamped an indelible memory on our young minds! - I lost track of Murray for many years, and we finally reconnected when Vi had received word she had cancer; they would call me in Colorado to share the updates. They came to Mesa, AZ to visit a couple they knew who were snowbirds here, and invited me to lunch - we had a very good time, and afterward, they came to my humble home to see where I lived. Not many months after, Vi died. Murray would call me and I would try my best to be supportive, and let him know I was always available whenever he wanted to talk. I am having a hard time believing he is not with us anymore; for those of us who are left and feeling remorse that we didn't/couldn't do enough for him, the pain is great. He was such a positive force in so many lives, with a great laugh. He would always say, "Love ya gal!" when we hung up. Murray, I love you, too.