Ralph Waldo Johnson Jr. (Duke) was born February 12, 1928 in Elkins, West Virginia to Ralph Waldo Johnson Sr. and Alice Herndon Johnson. Ralph’s grandparents Thomas Johnson and Lula Hall Johnson were instrumental in his upbringing.

Ralph completed his early education in West Virginia and completed high school at age 15 and moved to Chicago to attend Herzl Community College and later he attended Roosevelt University.

Ralph was employed at the United States Postal Service as well as the Chicago Transit Authority before opening Ralph Johnson & Associates Brokerage and Insurance firm.

Ralph married Nora Lee Nelson in 1949 and they had two sons, Eric Lee Johnson and Darryl R. Johnson Sr. Ralph married Laverne C. Johnson in December of 1966 and the two of them provided love and stability for our family. Ralph had a very special companion that he met later in life Ms. Mattie Wilson.

Ralph enjoyed reading mystery novels and reviewing legal cases for the Illinois Legal Association. Ralph also enjoyed spending his Sunday mornings at Greater Bethesda Missionary Baptist Church in Chicago. He also enjoyed camping, playing the piano, listening to jazz music, travel and “playing the stock market”.

Ralph is survived by his son Darryl R. Johnson Sr. and his daughter in law Lillian Johnson. His seven grandchildren: Darryl Johnson Jr. (Tensia Johnson), Leah Johnson, Dameon Johnson, Dorean Johnson (Zevah Johnson), Lavinia Johnson , Lashone Armstrong, Alishea Armstrong- Gay (Ralph Gay) and his cousin Mike Bagley.

Great grandchildren; Jazmen Johnson, Kera Johnson, Dontrell Johnson, Daniel Johnson, Donovan Williams Jada Moore, Kira Johnson, Kalazeh Johnson, Anylah Johnson, Diamond Johnson, Dion Coopwood, Giacana Ezell, Justin Ezell, Nailah Simone Gay , Naomi Chanel Gay, Paris Thomas, Dontrell Jr, Journii Coopwood, Bella Thomas, and Ky’ere Johnson.

Ralph departed this life on Wednesday, May 25, 2022 at 9:50 PM with his granddaughter Alishea by his side. His transition was quiet and peaceful and he is now safe in the care of our Lord.