Obituary 
Ralph Leonard "Axel" Johnson

The Oakland Independent 
February 8, 2001

Ralph Leonard "Axel" Johnson, who inspired generations by dealing
with a handicap he's had since age 3, died at his home in Avon
Park, Fla., on Thurs., Feb. 1, 2001, after suffering a stroke.

Johnson, a native of Uehling, Nebr., was 79.

He was born on May 22, 1921, to Edith (Peterson) & William Johnson.
William died in the farm accident that left Ralph an amputee.  That
accident occurred on August 12, 1924, when Ralph was 3.

Ralph lost both his legs as a result of that farm accident.

Ralph was the 6th of 7 children, who were then raised by Edith and
her second husband, Gust Engdahl.  The Johnsons and Endahls were
farmers near Uehling, Nebr.

Ralph Johnson graduated from Uehling (Nebr.) High School in 1939.
He met wife Nancy Terry Johnson in Colorado.  They were married in
1955 in Colorado, then moved to Wilmington, Delaware. They lived in
Wilmington for 30 years and have been Avon Park, Fla., residents
for the last 20 years.

Johnson inspired three generations of friends and relatives via his
upbeat and productive life, often joking about his artificial legs.

Johnson was a avid golfer all his adult life.  He was particularly
active in the Florida Amputee Golf Association, the Seniors Amputee
Golf Association and the National Amputee Golf Association.

He was a member of Pinecrest Golf Club in Avon Park, Fla., and also
was involved in the Highlands County (Fla.) Parkinson Association

He worked, managed, then owned his father-in-law's business,
Wholesale Electronics, in Wilmington, Del., for 30 years.

Ralph "Axel" Johnson is survived by his wife of 46 years, Nancy
Johnson, of Avon Park, Fla.  Other survivors include two daughters,
Kimberly J. Cook of Falls Church, VA., and Debbie Haigh of
Wilmington, Del.; four grandchildren, Michelle & Jeffrey Cook of
Falls Church, Va., and John T. & Katie Haigh of Wilmington, Va.; a
sister, Grace Meyer of Uehling, Nebr.; and many nieces and nephews.

Johnson's family was quite involved and quite decorated in World
War 2.  Five of Ralph's brothers served the United States in the
Pacific Theatre during the war; Warren, Alvin, Verner, Emory and
Donald.  Warren Johnson was a prisoner of war for 3 years in
Manchuria.

"Axel" Johnson tried to enlist, too, wishing to join his five
brothers in action in WW2.

In a newspaper story in the Oakland (Nebr.) Independent a few years
ago, the Johnson boys only sister, Grace Meyer, said "Ralph had
every intention of being the sixth Johnson brother from Uehling to
serve.  He wanted to go.  He sure tried.  He tried to enlist, but
they wouldn't take him, of course."

Johnson's funeral was Mon., Feb. 5, 2001, in Avon Park, Fla., with
Stepeneson-Nelson Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.

Visitors Since Decemer 6, 2001