Maurice Edward Johnson

In sadness, his family announces that Maurice Edward Johnson, 95, passed away on February 5, 2019. Born on May 1, 1923, in Tampa, Florida, Maurice grew up in Ybor City. Maurice is the son of Felicitas Christ and Arthur T. Johnson of Tampa. A combat wounded veteran of World War II, Maurice served and survived on the front lines of D-Day, the Breakout from Normandy, and the Battle of the Bulge. He was in the 238th Engineer Combat Battalion. He was awarded both a Purple Heart and the Bronze Star. The Bronze Star was awarded for building a bridge across the Rhine River while under fire from the Germans. Maurice married Bessie Comstock of Plattsburgh, NY in December, 1945. He served briefly on the Tampa Police Department before studying chemistry at Champlain College in Plattsburgh, NY. He spent his career in various capacities in the phosphate and fertilizer industries. This career led him from New Jersey, to Ohio, to Michigan, back to New Jersey, and finally to Florida in 1961. In addition to working in the fertilizer plant, the phosphate plant, and the lab at the American Agricultural Chemical Company, South Pierce plant, Mulberry, Maurice worked as an environmental chemist. His passion was his dogs and he was an active member of IPOC, Imperial Polk Obedience Club, serving many leadership roles and providing decades of Therapy Dog services to the Lakeland community. Maurice was a great friend to all in the Lakeland neighborhood where he lived since 1961. He and Bessie (who died in January 2000) also served the community by doing volunteer tutoring at an elementary school in Lakeland. The neighborhood he moved into in 1961 was built in an old citrus grove. The street where he lived is now graced by beautiful old trees, many of which Maurice, with the help of neighborhood squirrels, planted and nourished. Maurice and Bessie gave their daughters the great gifts of the love of nature and our environment, the love of dogs, and the respect for all people, regardless of their color, creed or various political and other orientations. He is survived by daughters, Anne and Susan Johnson, 4 grandchildren, and 2 great-grandchildren. Visitation February 14, 5-7 PM at Heath Funeral Chapel, 328 South Ingraham Ave., Lakeland. Funeral is graveside at NOON on February 15 at Oak Hill Burial Park, 4620 Hwy. 98S, Lakeland.