Obituary
Raymond Johnson, known to family and friends as Rebel, passed away peacefully at home on Monday, January 5, 2026. There has never been a person who met Ray who didn’t fall in love with him.
Ray served in the Vietnam War, and he was a devoted mechanic—often described as the best transmission specialist around. He was a true jack of all trades, mastering them all. He never passed on a chance to bowl, back in the day and he had many cherished memories of going to KCIR as a spectator and as a participant, running his Roadrunner down the quarter mile. He loved his animals, including Snatch and Baby Dog, and all his grand-fur babies.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Irmgard and Stanley Johnson; his stepmother, Gracie Johnson; his brother, James Johnson; his first wife, Rainelle Moore; and his second wife, Nadine Gunn.
He is survived by his sister, Margaret Webster; daughters, Renee Johnson (Jacob Powell), Raeanne Westervelt (Matt), and Rhonda Johnson; granddaughter, Rachel Turner (Clyde); grandsons, Johnny Janes (Alice), Tyler Westervelt (Abigail), and Jacob Westervelt; great-grandsons, Johnny Pryor Jr., JayVon Pryor, Jayden Turner, and Isaac Westervelt; great-granddaughter, Baby Girl Westervelt, arriving July 2026; along with many nieces and nephews.
Dad, We have never felt this kind of pain in our hearts or our souls. Our dad was our constant, our person, our hero, and the best dad that anyone could ever ask for. He is already missed by so many.
RIP Daddy!! We love you forever! Renee, Raeanne, and Rhonda
A visitation will be held Monday, January 19, 2026 from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. with a service to at 2:00 p.m. at Langsford Funeral Home in Lee’s Summit, Missouri. Inurnment with full military honors will be held at a later date at Higginsville Veterans Cemetery in Higginsville, Missouri.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that contributions in Ray’s honor be made to the Wounded Warrior Project or to ASPCA.
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Lee’s Summit, MO 64063
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Lee’s Summit, MO 64063
My family and I are sending our prayers and and are so sorry for your loss.
So sorry for your loss. I am sending all my love and wishing you and your family comfort, peace and strength in the days ahead.
God Bless you. You always treated us Coombes kids good. I know my Mom would be missing you now. Never forget 1976 at your house.
Ray, (Rebel, Sparky) was like a big brother to me, he was truly a gentle man and will be missed dearly. He had a wonderful sense of humor and you had to be on your toes to keep from getting got, cause he would get ya. And he got me more than once, bailed my ass out of trouble and helped me out numerous times. He taught me a lot about mechanics and looking back he taught me a lot about life. He is and will be missed for a long time. Rest in peace with Jesus my friend. Love ya
Wow what a handsome man Ray was, I only knew Ray for a few short years but the few years I knew him were out of control with love , laughter wood working and that damn transmission that hung in the living room. I love you Ray . Thank you for you friendship and hospitality and the wooden bowl you gave me I will cherish it until my ending days. Your friend Rocky Bobbie
Rest in peace. The stories are many. Holding your family in our prayers
Rhonda, Raeanne and Renee
I am deeply sorry for your loss. He loved his daughters more than anything in the world he was so proud of each and every one of you . He will be deeply missed
That man was the love of my life . To the world he was known by many names, Captain, Rebel, Sparky, & even Dale Earnhardt, but to me he was always Cowboy. That name holds a thousand quiet moments, shared laughter, and a bond that words will never fully capture.
He was also the kindest and the smartest man I have ever known. Cowboy would give anyone the shirt off his back without hesitation, without expectation, and without wanting anything in return. His generosity was genuine, simply who he was at his core.
Cowboy lived boldly, loved deeply, and left a mark that will not fade. He will always be with me, in memory, in spirit, and in quiet spaces where love continues long after goodbye.
My deepest condolences,
Roxanne
Love you and yours