Eldon F. Johnson, 81

Published 9:04 am Tuesday, February 21, 2012

Eldon Francis Johnson “Papa,” 81, of Raleigh, N.C., died Friday, Feb. 17, 2012, at home.

Eldon was born Sept. 15, 1930, in Austin, Minn. Eldon was a Hormel retiree. Eldon was a loving husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather and a proud Navy veteran. Eldon is preceded in death by his wife of 60 years, Dona Arnold Johnson, his parents, Erwin and Dorris Johnson of Austin; brother, Neal Johnson. He is survived by sons; Danny Johnson of Rolesville, N.C., and Jeff Johnson of Raleigh; daughter, Barbara J. Smith and husband, Earl R. Smith of Raleigh; six grandchildren and five great-grandchildren; mother-in-law, Madge Erickson and sister, Darlene Helland. A Memorial service will be at 1 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 23, 2012, at Brown-Wynne Funeral Home, 1701 E. Millbrook Road, Raleigh, N.C., 27609. The family will receive friends 12 to 1 p.m. prior to the service. Inurnment following at Raleigh Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Wounded Warriors project, 4899 Belfort Road, Suite 300, Jacksonville, Fla., 32256 in memory of Eldon. www.woundedwarriorproject.org. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.brownwynnemillbrook.com.