Dr. Earl Johnson

Dr. Earl Wayne Johnson, 92, of Cape Girardeau died Friday, June 12, 2015, at Southeast Hospital.

He was born March 23, 1923, in Kansas City, Missouri, to Laurence Arial and Ruth Sophia Lindquist Johnson. He married his beloved wife, Lillian D. Statler, Aug. 8, 1948, in Jackson. She preceded him in death in 2009.

Earl graduated from Central High School and attended Southeast Missouri State University.

He served in the Army Air Corps, flying the B-17 during World War II.

After the war, he studied at University of Missouri Medical School and completed his medical degree at Temple University.

He entered the Air Force Reserve and began training in radiology at the Army-Navy Hospital in Hot Springs, Arkansas. He also spent time as a general duty medical officer at the Air Force Base in Great Falls, Montana. Discharged in 1954 with the rank of captain, he completed residency in Detroit at Wayne County Affiliated Hospitals.

He entered private practice with Shoss Radiology Group in Cape Girardeau in 1957, retiring in 1985.

After retirement, he and Lillian became Elderhostel enthusiasts. They also traveled all over the world to play tennis with the American/World Medical Tennis Association.

He was a talented pianist and a longtime member of Centenary United Methodist Church, where he sang in the choir.

Earl was a loving husband, father, grandfather and a respected member of the medical community. He will be dearly missed by all.

Survivors include his wonderful friend, Kitty Rueseler; four sons, Laurence A. (Mary) Johnson of Norman, Oklahoma, Randall S. (Rita) Johnson of Wildwood, Missouri, E. Wayne (Rhonda) Johnson of Jackson and Bryan D. (Vivian) Johnson of Eureka, Missouri; three daughters, Lea Ellen (Bruce) Renfro of Fairview, Texas, Beth (Daryl) Thompson of Bismarck, North Dakota, and Christine "Tina" Johnson of Cape Girardeau; 18 grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren; and three great-great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents and a sister.

Visitation will be Friday from 4 to 7:30 p.m. at Centenary Church.

The funeral will be Saturday at 10 a.m. at the church, with the Rev. Karen Nothdurft officiating. Burial will be in Cape County Memorial Park.

Ford and Sons Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Memorial contributions may be given to Centenary Church.

Online condolences may be made at fordandsonsfuneralhome.com.