Ronald "Old Man Ron" Dean Johns, Sr.

Ronald "Old Man Ron” Johns, Sr., 75 of St. Paul, left to go fishing for his angel wings on Sunday, June 30, 2019 at his home with his family by his side. 

To honor Ron’s wishes, his body was cremated.  A visitation with family greeting friends will be from 4-7 P.M. Wednesday, July 3, 2019 at Jacobsen-Greenway-Dietz Funeral Home in St. Paul.  A Private Inurnment will be held at a later date in the Elmwood Cemetery in St. Paul.  In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the family to be designated at a later date. 

He was born in Merna, NE to Jay and Marjorie Johns (Haswell) on Oct 29, 1943. HE lived in Hemingford, NE where he made his First Communion in the Catholic Faith.  As a boy, his family moved to Stapleton, NE where he continued his education.  He was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1967 where he later served with 25th Infantry 3/13th "The Clan" in Vietnam. When he returned from serving his country, he headed to Alaska where "the weather was uncomfortable, and the fishing was worse."

He married Rachelle (Shelly Smolik) on July 22, 1972 in Lakewood, CO.  To this union they were joined with 4 fishing companions.

Throughout this union he moved his family to Denver, Cheyenne Wy, Cushing NE and finally settled down in their final home in St. Paul, NE, where he was always "going to get around to fixing it up." He was never satisfied with his projects, so he was always redoing them.  He also worked for Paris and Sylvia Trucking and was always talking about his over the road trips. He later worked for Werner Construction as a heavy equipment driver. He later started working at S.E. Smith and Sons in St. Paul.  He was a "jack of all trades." He was a member of the St. Peter and Paul Catholic Church, a member of the American Legion. He was an avid bowler when his health was good. He was always heading down to Riverview Lanes to catch a few games.  If he wasn't working or bowling, you could always find him at one of his favorite fishing holes. He always had his fishing gear in his trucks. He was very proud of his master angle, Northern Pike, 36" long/12.8lbs. There wasn't a person he didn't meet that became a friend. He was a truly caring loveable guy.

He is survived by his wife Shelly of St. Paul; children, Tammy (Craig Hamilton) Johns of St. Paul, Cordelia "Dede" (Mark) Hogue of Central City, NE and Ronald (Threasa) Johns, Jr. of Hordville, NE;  his 3 little sisters, Dianne (Dennis) Hardee of Cozad, Nancy (Joe) Budd and Sandy (Bob) Kneisteadt, both of Denver;  grandchildren, Karry Johns and Timmothy Hamilton of St. Paul, Cody and Tracie Hamilton of Grand Island  Destiny Burnett, Jacob and Delaney Johns of Hordville; Brian Applegarth, John Tyler, Sidney and Thomas Johns all of Ravenna; Justin Case Manion of Coure De Leon, Idaho; Natalie Johns of St. Paul; and Max and Giovonaa of Omaha; along with many nieces and nephews. He leaves behind a lot of devoted family and friends and special fishing friend, Tony Schirm, along with his "special grandchildren" Zana, Katherine and Dillon Schirm.

He was preceded in the death by his father, Jay Johns; his mother, Marj and step-father, Samuel Kelly Ambler; his youngest son, Carl Johns; his granddaughter, Mia Rose Johns; his brother, Jerry Johns; his nephew, Eric Johns; and his in-laws, Otto and Cordelia Smolik.

"Don't do nothing I wouldn't do"

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