Johnson, Howard Richmond

Howard Richmond Johnson, 88, of Blacksburg, passed away on Wednesday, January 2, 2008, at Montgomery Regional Hospital. He was born in Wise, Va. He was a member of Gateway Baptist Church. He was instrumental in promoting Christian education and was a retired research scientist.

He is survived by his wife, Gladys, of 62 years. Also surviving are five children, daughters and spouses, Laura and George Marthas, Linda and Jerry Knoblet, Elizabeth and Benoit Basle; two sons and spouses, Donald and Sandy Johnson and John and Kayla Johnson. There are 16 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, January 5, 2008, in the Gateway Baptist Church with Dr. Scott Souther and the Rev. Dewey O. Weaver Jr. officiating. Interment will follow in Westview Cemetery, Blacksburg.

Flowers would be appreciated or memorial contributions may be made to the Gateway Christian Academy, 2196 Harding Road, Blacksburg, Va. 24060. Friends may call anytime after 12 noon Friday, January 4, 2008, and the family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday evening at McCoy Funeral Home, Blacksburg, Va.