Ron was born on March 19, 1953 in Newport, RI to Lillian C. Johnson (Butler) and Croal L. Johnson (both deceased) on March 19, 1953. He had four siblings – LaVerne Johnson, Croal Johnson, Jr. (deceased), Martin Johnson of NYC, and Lisabeth Johnson.

He is survived by the love of his life ValarieJean Brown-Johnson whom he met in 1979 at the King School. They were married in 1988 and have two children, Stephan Brown of NYC and Brandon Johnson. He also leaves behind a beloved family that includes mother-in-law Jean Haynes, sisters-in-law, Linda Donovan, Kimberley Haynes, Paulette Patterson Haynes, Leah Bigger Allen, Sabina Haynes, Shaunna Haynes and Holly Murray Haynes. His brothers-in-law are Gregory Brown, Walter Haynes, Kristoffer Scola Haynes, and Nicholas Benders-Haynes. He also has a godchild Kristie Grimes Mallard as well as several nieces and nephews. Ron will also be missed by many close friends who were also considered family.

Ron graduated from Boston Technical High in 1970 and received his BA from Holy Cross College in Worcester, MA in 1974. Ron also got his MA in Education from UMass Boston in 1988. He was also a graduate of the Boston Leadership Academy at Boston University.

He was a beloved educator in the Boston Public school system for 47 years. Ron started his teaching career in 1977 at Charlestown High, followed by Boston Trade, Dorchester High School, and The Martin Luther King School. He became a guidance counselor in 1997. First at Boston High and finishing his career at Boston Community Leadership Academy in Hyde Park, MA. Resistant to retirement because of the love of his work, Ron finally retired on November 30, 2020. Helping his students achieve whatever greatness they were capable of was his greatest priority.

Everyone who met Ron met a genuinely good guy. He was kind, generous, thoughtful, and caring. He was someone you could call at any time and he would be there for you in a heartbeat. Ron was full of jokes and was always making others laugh. Even in the hospital, he was trying to make others feel comfortable through his humor. He had a great infectious belly laugh which was appreciated by all who had the pleasure of hearing it. Ron’s immediate and extended family always looked forward to holiday gatherings, movie outings, mini-excursions, and the annual trek to Martha’s Vineyard. His interests included photography, riding his bike, bowling, and softball and he was a devoted fan of the local sports teams, Boston Celtics, New England Patriots, and the Boston Red Sox. He had a great interest in electronic gadgets and was a computer wizard that many people relied on.

To honor his memory, donations to this fundraising campaign will be used to establish a scholarship for graduates of the Boston Community Leadership Academy.