Spencerville;       Carl Leon Johnson, 76, of Spencerville, passed away on Saturday, May 18, 2024 surrounded by his family at home.

Leon was born on December 8, 1947, in Lima to the Lewis Carl and Rita Jean (Bible) Johnson. He graduated from Gomer High School in 1966. After graduation, Leon proceeded to attend college at the University of Toledo until he received his draft notice. He could have opted out of the service, but that was not him. He left school and headed to the Army. After his training, he left for Vietnam and was part of long-range reconnaissance missions which were 3-5 man groups. He was wounded three times and received a Purple Heart and a Bronze Star for valor.

When he came home from Vietnam, he initially wasn't welcomed into the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW).  His cousin Sam talked him into giving the Spencerville VFW a chance and Leon went to his first meeting and was elected Jr. Vice Commander. As time went on, he became more involved and was elected post commander in 1998. In 2001 he became the District 2 Commander and then held the office of VFW State Commander in 2009-2010. As department commander, he earned All American Status.

In 2003 he was involved with creating the VFW Ohio Charities. They formed this charity to help ensure that posts would be able to help support their local communities.

Leon's passion in the VFW was his role as Veteran and Military Support Chairman. In 2010, he really saw the need for a program that could help support Veterans and National Guard and Reservist who needed financial assistance. He set up the Ohio Military Assistance Program (MAP) within the department. This program has helped so many and truly created a bond within the State of Ohio between the VFW and the Ohio National Guard.  Leon spent so many hours and miles on the road taking care of these members and their families.

Leon has always made sure he took care of everyone else. It didn't matter if it was his family, employees, VFW members and posts, veterans or military members and their families. Leon will definitely be missed, but his legacy will live on forever with those he touched.

On January 22, 2000, Leon was united in marriage to Robin Ann Ramler. Once he returned home from the service, he worked as a plumbing, heating, and electrical contractor. He began working for John P. Timmerman then started Quality Mechanical Comp. Aside from his pride and love for his time in the military and work with the VFW, Leon loved his family more than anything.

He is survived by his mother, Rita Johnson of Wooster, OH; his wife, Robin Ann Johnson; three children, Michael Lee (Angela) Johnson of Delphos, Craig Robert (Tammy) Wilburn of Grayson, KY, Sarah Jane (Jason) Algeria of Casa Grande, AZ; five grandchildren, Nathan Johnson, Garret Johnson, Jackson Wilburn, Georgia Wilburn, and Riley Algeria; and three siblings, Vickie Sue Young of London, OH, Linda (Rory) Reed of Wooster, and Peggy (Jim) Retzler of Wooster. Leon was preceded in death by his father, and siblings, David Johnson and Becky Woo.

There will be a visitation from 4:00-8:00 p.m. with a VFW service starting at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, May 22, 2024, at Thomas E. Bayliff Funeral Home in Spencerville. Visitation will continue from 10:00-11:00 a.m. followed by the funeral at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, May 23, 2024, also at the funeral home with Pastor Terry Frazer officiating and with military honors provided by local veterans and the Army honor guard. Private family burial will take place following the service at Spencerville Cemetery. Thomas E. Bayliff Funeral Home in Spencerville is caring for Leon and his family. In lieu of flowers, preferred memorial may be given to the Bowersock Brothers VFW Post #6772 in Spencerville.