Ralph Allen Johnson MD's Obituary
RALPH ALLEN JOHNSON, MD
JANUARY 20, 1928 - JULY 19, 2025
Ralph Allen Johnson, age 97, passed away peacefully into the presence of his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on July 19, 2025.
Ralph was born in Kane, Pennsylvania, as an only child to Mabel and Harry Johnson. Upon his graduation from Ridgway High School in 1946, he enlisted in the U.S. Army, serving during the early years of the occupation of Japan. After an honorable discharge, Ralph worked for one year with his father in the natural gas drilling industry before he enrolled in Pennsylvania State University, majoring in chemistry.
After graduation from Penn State, Ralph enrolled in the University of Pennsylvania School Of Medicine, graduating in 1956 with the Doctor of Medicine degree. He served an internship at Geissinger Medical Center in 1957, where he met and fell in love with nursing instructor, JoAnn Peters, RN.
JoAnn and Ralph were married in 1957 in Danville, Pennsylvania. The newlyweds moved to Rochester, Minnesota, where Ralph graduated from the Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, completing a Fellowship in General Surgery in 1961. He subsequently received the degree of Master of Science in Surgery from the School of Medicine, University of Minnesota. He was a Diplomate of the American Board of Surgery and a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons.
Ralph and his wife later relocated to Tacoma, Washington where he set up a general and thoracic surgery practice from 1962 to 2001. From 1963 to 1992, he was a consultant in General Surgery at Western State Hospital in Lakewood, Washington. In 1984, he founded the Breast Clinic of Tacoma and retired from his practice in 2001. Ralph served on the medical board of directors for Physicians Insurance Company from 1988-1997. He also served as the Medical Director of the Northwest Physicians Network from 1997 to 2005. In addition to being a member of the American Medical Association, Ralph served as President of Washington State Medical Association and Pierce County Medical Society.
During his retirement, Ralph stayed active in several clubs and organizations which included: Tacoma Golf & Country Club, Rotary Club of Tacoma, Cascade Club of Tacoma, Vasa Order of America, The Scottish Rite of Orient of Washington, Afifi Shriners, Fridalopians, and Tacoma Elks.
Ralph is survived by his sons, Tague Johnson and Todd Johnson (Marsha) and daughter, Hadley Johnson. He also leaves behind his only grandchild, Jaina “Jay” Johnson and close friends, Rich Beisley and Saundra Raynor.
We will truly miss our dear Ralph. He was a great blessing to his family, friends, and community.
A visitation is planned for Ralph on Friday, August 8, 2025, from 10 a.m. -4:00 p.m. at: Mountain View Funeral Home and Cemetery. 4100 Steilacoom Blvd. S.W. Tacoma, Washington 98499.
All who knew Ralph are welcome to attend.
A private family committal service will be held at a future date. Remembrances may be shared at: https://www.mountainviewtacoma.com
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