Samuel J. Johnson, 81, Was Veteran, Businessman

Samuel Joseph (Pat) Johnson 4th, best known for his sense of humor, died Friday, Feb. 3, at Hospice of Cincinnati in Blue Ash, Ohio. He was 81.

Mr. Johnson was known as Pat to friends and family because he was born on St. Patrick's Day in 1924. He and his wife, Arlyn, have been regular summer visitors of the Vineyard for the past 60 years. His parents, Samuel and Frances Johnson, began summering on the Island prior to World War II and purchased their first home on Barnes Road immediately after the war. By 1950 they had settled in Vineyard Haven.

Samuel Johnson was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, and was raised in Avondale. He attended Walnut Hills High School and was graduated in 1942.

He attended the University of Cincinnati before joining the Army in 1943. He served in World War II as a fighter pilot and flight officer.

Upon returning, he married his high school sweetheart, Arlyn Theiss, on Feb. 13, 1945. Mr. Johnson started working at Clopay Corp. in the late 1940s. He then left to start his own company, Barron Plastics, of which he was owner and chief executive until 1974, when he sold the company.

In 1974 he bought Chase Industries, which eventually became Chase-Durus Industries. Mr. Johnson sold the company in 1997. From 1994 to 2005 he was an investment partner in commercial real estate with Quest IV. Mr. Johnson also volunteered at Executive Service Corps and WMKV-FM.

In 2005, Mr. Johnson was honored with the Associate of the Year Award from Executive Service Corps for his volunteer work.

Mr. Johnson was a member of the Vineyard Haven Yacht Club, an avid tennis player and an amateur photographer whose favorite subject matters were the Vineyard land and seascape. As a jazz musician, he played the saxophone and piano. He played with Lionel Hampton, Louis Armstrong and Johnny Hodges.

He is survived by his wife, Arlyn Theiss Johnson of Glendale; daughter in law, Gwendolyn Kess Johnson of Hyde Park; son, Samuel Joseph Johnson 5th of St. Francis, Minn.; daughter and son in law, Lynne and Jesse Lipcon of Wayland and Vineyard Haven, and seven grandchildren.

He was predeceased by a son, Frederick Theiss Johnson.

Services were held Tuesday at the First Presbyterian Church in Glendale, Ohio. A private family interment was held at Spring Grove Cemetery in Winton Place, Ohio.

Memorials can be sent to Hospice of Cincinnati, 4310 Cooper Road, Blue Ash, Ohio 45242 or to WMKV-FM, 11100 Springfield Pike, Springdale, Ohio 45246.