Leslie J. Johnson

Leslie J. “Les” Johnson died on May 16, 2011 at The Manor at Perrysburg, Ohio. He turned 91 on March 29. He moved to The Manor last month after health issues required nursing care and to be with his wife. Les and his wife of 62 years, Phyllis, raised 10 children in a small West Toledo home. All 10 went on to succeed in their chosen fields, a source of considerable pride for Les. Les was well-known in West Toledo, where for 38 years he owned and operated Johnson Sohio [later BP] on West Bancroft Street next to the University of Toledo. He was loved and respected by his many loyal customers and his employees. Les’s formula for success was simple: Give people good, pleasant service. Stay open in all weather. Choose a good company to work with. Know your products. And treat your employees well. As Les’s children prospered, he took enormous joy in posting their business cards on the kitchen wall in his home. He constantly juggled the cards as they moved in their careers and up the corporate ladder. In their later years, Les and Phyllis joined their son, John, and daughter, Joan, at a Johnson family compound on the Maumee River in Waterville. There they enjoyed the scenic beauty and the frequent visits by their children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Les was born in Toledo in 1920. He graduated from DeVilbiss High School in 1938 and was a member of Christ the King Church. Les married Phyllis on June 4, 1949. He was preceded in death by his son, Larry Johnson. Surviving are his wife, Phyllis; children; Jean [Dave] Smith, William [Kathy] Johnson, Joan Channell, John [Deborah] Johnson, Tom [Donna] Johnson, Kim [fiancé Joe] Johnson, Mary Ann [Mike] Ramm, Jackie [Brian] Heldt, and Linda [Rob] Tatro, Sandy (Larry) Yeager and Nancy Murphy and daughter-in-law, Lorie Johnson; 16 grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren. Visitation will be from 3:30pm to 7pm on Tuesday May 17th at Coyle Funeral Home, 1770 So. Reynolds Road, where a Memories Sharing time will begin at 7pm. Funeral services will be at Christ the King Church at 12 noon on Wednesday where the family will receive friends beginning at 11:30 a.m. Interment Resurrection Cemetery. Contributions can be made to The Toledo Area Humane Society. Les enjoyed the company of Mable and Jake, both adopted from the Humane Society. Please also consider the American Heart Association.

Leslie J. Johnson

March 29, 1920 - May 16, 2011