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Columbia City High School
Alumni Association

600 N. Whitley St.
Columbia City, Indiana 46725

(260) 244-6136, Ext. 3459


Obituary furnished by Raymond Bechtel, Class of 1957

Coach "Boag" Johnson

Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame Biography

David Ralph "Boag" Johnson, 83, of Warsaw, beloved husband of MaryEllen for the past 61 years, died on Monday, July 11, 2005.  Born in Huntington on Dec. 6, 1921, a son of David and Flora Johnson, he graduated in 1939 from Union Center.

After serving in the U.S. Army, he graduated from Huntington College in 1947. He played professional basketball for the Anderson Packers and the Fort Wayne Zollner Pistons from 1948 to 1952. In 1964, he was nominated for the Silver Anniversary Basketball Team and was Huntington College Alumnus of the Year. He was elected to the Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame in 1995.

"Boag" coached varsity basketball at Columbia City High School from 1952 to 1957, and was athletic director from 1958 to 1960. He moved to Warsaw and coached the Tigers from 1961 to 1971. He taught physical education, health & safety, driver's training, and served as a guidance counselor. He initiated the buildings trade program at Warsaw Community High School. He retired in 1985.

His hobby was carpentry. He built all the homes he lived in since 1968, plus assisted family and friends with their projects.

He is survived by his wife, MaryEllen (Robinson) Johnson; three daughters, Jorie (James) Webster of Warsaw; Kristine (Larry) Ummel of Kimmell, and Leslie (Ray) Barna of Vandalia, Mich.; a son, Greg Johnson of Warsaw; two sisters, Martha Burnau and Dorothy Tuggle, both of Warsaw; six grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, two sisters, a brother, and his oldest son, David Johnson.

"Boag" loved his family and his country. He served in Europe during World War II and was a member of American Legion Post 49 of Warsaw. He was known to say that he had lived a great life and would not change a thing.

To celebrate his life, a tribute service is at 10 a.m. Saturday, July 16, at Titus Funeral Home in Warsaw, with Dick Kehoe officiating. Visitation is from 4 to 8 p.m. Friday at the funeral home. Burial is at Oakwood Cemetery, with military graveside service conducted by American Legion Post 49 and V.F.W. 1126.

For those who prefer, memorials may be made to the American Heart Association, Midwest Affiliate Memorial & Tributes, Lockbox 3816 Paysphere Circle, Chicago, IL 60674.

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© 2005 Columbia City High School Alumni Association.   This page last updated 08/06/2012