R. Ben Johnson

R. Ben Johnson, 88, of Owensboro, died Saturday, August 29, 2009 at his home. He was born July 30, 1921 in White Plains, Ky. to Eugene and Ola (Tate) Johnson and practiced Architecture in Kentucky and Florida for 35 years. He attended Lindsey Wilson College. The University of Kentucky, and the University of Florida College of Architecture and Allied Arts and was a U. S. Coast Guard veteran of World War II. He was preceded in death by his wife of 65 years, Lillian Sadie Johnson on Feb. 6, 2007.

As an architect Mr. Johnson designed elementary, middle, and high schools in Hopkins, Henderson, Union, Hancock, and Daviess counties. In Owensboro and Daviess County, his firm, R. Ben Johnson and Associates, designed the Daviess County Vocational School, Tamarack and Highland Elementary schools, Burns and Owensboro Middle schools, and Apollo and Daviess County high schools. He designed office buildings for attorneys, the Kentucky Utilities and Green River Coops (GRECC) in Mayfield, Greenville, Madisonville, Henderson, and Owensboro, including the headquarters for Big Rivers in Henderson and Kenergy in Owensboro. Also in Owensboro, he designed the former Western Kentucky Gas building, Lincoln Federal Savings, Gabes Tower, City Hall, One Hundred St. Ann building, and the State Office Building. Over a period of 15 years, he was the architect for buildings at Western Kentucky University including Central Hall and numerous dormitories, the Kelly Thompson Science Complex, the Academic Complex, Grise Hall, the Downing Student Center, and E. A. Diddle Arena. He was a member of the American Institute of Architects and Allied Arts and the "Gargoyle" Honorary Society of Architects. He also was a charter member of the Owensboro Industrial Foundation and Windridge Country Club and was a member of the Chamber of Commerce, the Daviess Co. Lions Club, and Settle Memorial United Methodist Church.

He is survived by two sons, David Johnson (Rita Miller) of Louisville and Jim Johnson (Lydia) of Newburgh, IN. two granddaughters, Vickie Ann Johnson of Frankfort, and Anna Beth Johnson of Newburgh, and step grandsons, Bradley Carrico of Terre Haute, IN and Jeremy Miller of Fisherville, and a step granddaughter, Tonya Miller of Simpsonville.

An open house and memorial service for friends and family to celebrate his life will be at 4:00 P.M. Saturday, September 26 at his home. The memorial service will begin at 5:30 P.M. Expressions of sympathy may take the form of donations to the charity of the donor's choice.