Otis Patrick "Pat" Johnson III

Otis Patrick "Pat" Johnson III beloved husband, father, grandfather and devoted friend, passed away Thursday, May 14, 2015 surrounded by all his family. Pat was born in Little Rock October 19, 1933 to Agnes Lovston and Otis Patrick Johnson Jr. He spent his early childhood in Monroe, La. moving to Pine Bluff when he was in the seventh grade. After graduating from Pine Bluff High School, he attended Virginia Military Institute (VMI) where he earned an electrical engineering degree and was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in the U.S. Air Force. Upon graduation, Pat attended flight school, was commissioned a jet fighter pilot and assigned to the 526 Fighter Interceptor Squadron in Ramstein, Germany. After successfully completing his tour of duty as a Captain, he returned to Pine Bluff as an electrical engineer for International Paper Company. In 1960 Pat began a 12 year career with the Utility Commission in West Memphis as General Manager-Engineer. An engineering position followed with Shreeve Engineering in Little Rock, and finally, for the remaining 25 years of his career his own company, Pat Johnson Engineering. He was a past president of the Arkansas Society of Professional Engineers of East Arkansas, past chairman of the Arkansas Waterwork and Pollution Control Association (AWPC), past president elect of the Southwest Section of American Waterworks (Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Texas). Additionally, he was a Paul Harris Fellow of Rotary International, having joined in 1968, and a deacon and elder at the First Presbyterian Church of West Memphis. Pat was a devout Christian, a devoted family man and a loyal friend. The apple of his eye was his granddaughter, Kathleen. He loved the outdoors, particularly hunting and fishing at Forked Lake Duck Club, where he was a founding member. He enjoyed shooting pool every Wednesday, duplicate bridge, visiting family and friends and traveling. His quick wit and calm, loving manner made him a delightful man to know. Pat was preceded in death by his parents and his first wife, Anne Benton Johnson. He is survived by his wife, Katibel Carton Johnson; his son, Benton Johnson and his wife, Leslie and his granddaughter, Kathleen, all of Conway, and Wendy and Stephen LaFrance and daughter, Katherine (Katie) of Little Rock. He is also survived by his sister, Patricia Allen and her children, Jackie Minks and Joel Allen, all of Minnesota. Following a private burial, a memorial service celebrating Pat's life is planned at St. James United Methodist Church, at 2 p.m. Tuesday afternoon, May 19th. Immediately following the service the family will receive family and friends at 11 Edgehill Road, Little Rock. In lieu of floral condolences, gifts in memory of Patrick Johnson can be made to, St. James United Methodist, 321 Pleasant Valley Drive, Little Rock, Ark. 72212 or his alma mater, Virginia Military Institute, 309 Letcher Avenue, Lexington, Va. 24450. Arrangements by Ruebel Funeral Home, www.ruebelfuneralhome.com.