REDDING, Calif. – Ralph Dexter "RD" Johnson III, 59, of Redding, was welcomed into Heaven suddenly and unexpectedly on Tuesday, Oct. 23, 2018.

RD was born on Nov. 10, 1958, in Harrisville, Mich., son of the late Eleanor Louise nee Bent and Ralph Dexter Johnson Jr., and spent his childhood throughout the Midwest, graduating from Emmanuel Christian High School, Toledo, Ohio.

After a year at Grand Rapids (Mich.) Bible Seminary, he left to begin a lifetime career as a customer service representative and delivery man for Quality Creamery of Grand Rapids and United Dairy of Lancaster, Ohio.

RD loved people, loved sports, including basketball, baseball, golf, canoeing and especially fishing and he loved making people laugh.

He met the love of his life, Diane (Kuivinen) Johnson and enjoyed a full and joy-filled year with her, loving God, loving people and loving life before his untimely death.

In the last months of his life, he fell in love with the Finlander way and embraced the SISU spirit.

RD is survived by his beloved wife, Diane; two sisters, Marcia Crown and Merilee Perin; a brother, Earle Phillip; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be held at Cornerstone Church, N10344 Mill St., in Ramsay, Mich., on Saturday, Nov. 3, from 10 to 11 a.m., and his life will be celebrated with a service at 11 a.m. Interment will follow at Lakeside Cemetery, Wakefield, Mich. Flowers may be sent directly to the church. If you would like to contribute to a cause close to RD's heart, you may send a donation to Inside-Out Ministries/White Barn, c/o Cornerstone Church, P.O. Box 457, Ramsay, MI 49959. Please make checks out to Cornerstone Church- memo in memory of RD Johnson.

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Jerald Rocco, owner and manager of Lakeside Memorial Chapel Inc., in Wakefield. Condolences may be expressed online at lakesidememorialchapel.com.