Rodney Davis Johnson

Rod was born Oct. 22, 1938, at Warren General Hospital, Warren, PA, to Russell and Elda (Pratt) Johnson, and spent summers and holidays with family and friends in Sheffield, Pa.

Also known as “Bomber,” Rod graduated from Jamestown High School, Jamestown, NY in 1956. He was a hard-working, fun-loving guy who enjoyed fixing and driving “hot rod” cars.

He worked for Lake County Dairy for many years, mostly delivering to commercial customers. In 1961 he enlisted in the U.S. Army and served in the Reserves after his initial training at Fort Knox, Kentucky, where he was a decorated Rifle Sharpshooter. While working at the Dairy, he also took up the vocation of masonry and bricklaying. He apprenticed with his long-time mentor, Rolly Johnson, until venturing out and establishing Johnson Masonry, which he owned and operated for more than 40 years.

In 1966, Rod married the love of his life, Duella “Dew” Hulihan, also of Jamestown. Their children are Joy and Tracy.

Rod, along with help from dear friends and colleagues, built the family home on Westman Road in Bemus Point, NY. His talents using stone, brick and concrete are evident on this property and many others throughout Jamestown, Chautauqua Institution, and surrounding towns. He crafted fireplaces and patios, specialized pool surrounds, chimneys, steps, retaining walls and much more.

After “retiring” from masonry and up until his debilitating stroke in 2019, Rod worked for Chautauqua Adult Daycare as a bus driver and First Baptist Church of Jamestown as handyman and groundskeeper. He and Dew were members of First Baptist for many years and treasure their time there.

Rod is survived by his wife, Dew, and their children, Joy (Dina) Johnson of Erie, PA and Tracy (Chris) Parker of York, SC. Their grandchildren are Trevor (Shannon) Civiletto of Erie, Cody (Simon) Civiletto of Menlo Park, CA, Ryan (Gabriella) Parker of Jamestown and Brianna Parker of York. Step-grandchildren are Kristen (Michael) Brunacini of Jamestown and Devin (Lizzette) Almleaf of Erie. Rod and Dew’s great grandchildren are Logan Civiletto of Erie and Amelia Parker of Jamestown, and step great grandsons are August Brunacini and Jace Carbajal of Jamestown. Visits, photos and Facetimes with the little ones always made “Pap Pap” smile, as did visits with his canine buddy, Cody’s dog, Monet. Rod is also survived by his loving sister, Suzanne Feenstra of Flower Mound, TX, sister-in-law Jean Johnson of Jamestown, sister-in-law, Marjorie McCullen of Florida, several nieces and nephews, other family members and dear friends.

He is preceded in death by his daughter, Roxanne, who lost her life in a tragic accident in 1963, his parents, loving brothers Russell and Ronald, sisters-in-law Gloria Johnson and Nancy Hulihan, and brothers-in-law Jan Feenstra and William Hulihan.

Rod will always be loved and remembered for being a wonderful husband, a dad like no other, an amazing uncle, and a great all-around guy. He loved a good joke and would usually get everyone around him laughing! He is forever in our hearts.

The family wishes to thank the caring, loving staff at Walnut Creek Healthcare for their support of “Rodney” and his family during the last years of his life and especially over the last couple of months.

A Memorial Service / Celebration of Life with be held on Saturday, July 6 at 11 AM in the sanctuary of the Chautauqua Adult Daycare and Rehabilitation Center on 358 East Fifth St. in Jamestown. Reverend Michael Childs will be officiating. In lieu of flowers, donations or memorials should be directed to the charity of your choice.