Ronald Dean Johnson May 27, 1958 ~ February 20, 2026 (age 67)

Funeral services for Ronald D. Johnson, 67, of Portales, will be held at 11:00 AM, Thurs., Feb. 26, 2026, in the Wheeler Mortuary Chapel with Bedan Belen officiating.  Burial will follow in the Portales Cemetery with Julian Valero, Orlando Acosta, Mary Acosta, Paul Cooper, Angelo Cooper and Christopher Brophy serving as pallbearers.

Ronald Dean Johnson was born May 27, 1958, in Anson, TX to the home of Barbara Jean (Walker) and Darrel Eugene Howard, and died at his home in Portales on the evening of Feb. 20, 2026.  Ronald’s mother and his father were later divorced, and she was married to Robert Johnson, who eventually adopted Ronald.  His father was in the US Air Force, and was stationed at Lakenhaven Air Force Base in England when Ronald graduated from high school.  In 1977, Ronald enlisted in the US Army, and served as an MP until his discharge in 1979.  Soon after his discharge he settled in Clovis, NM where he was employed at several different jobs including at McDonald’s and the Circle K before becoming a long haul truck driver.  He later became a delivery driver for Mrs. Bairds bread.

In 1990, he became a correctional officer in Clovis and later in Portales.  In 2005, he accepted a position at Sunland Peanut Company.  The company was later known as Hampton Farms, and he retired from that position in 2025.  On Mar. 17, 2018 here in Portales, he was married to Julieta Demesa.  For relaxation, Mr. Johnson enjoyed fishing at Oasis State Park.

He is survived by his wife, Julieta of their home; a son, Thomas Johnson of Huntsville, AL, two daughters and a son-in-law, Elizabeth and Christopher Brophy of Portales and Robin Johnson of Portales; a step-son, Angelita Demesa and his wife, Kimberly of Angeles City, Philippines; three step-daughters, Aileen Ladlad and her husband, Virgillo and Annabelle Dungca and her husband, Joel both of Angeles City, Philippines and Annalyn Cooper and her husband, Paul of Clovis, NM; 14 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren; and a sister, Carolyn Casey of Elm Mott, TX.  He was preceded in death by his parents, Barbara and Robert Johnson and by a son, Michael Johnson who died in 2002.

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