Robert Ross Johnson graced the world with his presence on December 14, 1952, in Montgomery, Alabama, to William David Johnson and Helen Hipp Johnson. Although he grew up in Lexington, Kentucky, he was always ready to shout "Roll Tide!" any chance he got. From an early age, his love for sports (baseball and football) brought many accolades, including city and state all-star honors, championship trophies, the key to the city, and his induction into the Sayre High School Hall of Fame as a football star. As a meaningful Christmas gift, he was also honored as a Kentucky Colonel, a title that felt tailor-made for him.

It was there that he met the love of his life, Donna Marie Quillin. After high school, he attended the University of Cincinnati's Design School to be with his high school sweetheart. In the years to come, he would scrounge up any money he could to visit her until she accepted his hand in marriage. It was his relentless tenacity that made Robert bigger than life. When he set out to do something, he found a way to make it happen, and did it his way.

Robert built a remarkable business of his own, Madison Avenue Designs, which he ran for 38 years. He was a jack-of-all-trades and a one-man show who could take a conceptual design from idea to fabrication in his shop to final installation. He viewed life as a fun, strategic game that he could sculpt like Michelangelo, leading to other legacy-building passions such as distributing donated toys as Santa Claus alongside his family of elves through his nonprofit, Miracle on East Main for 25 years (and counting); converting his workshop into a music studio to produce jam sessions and sing his heart out; and making his home into the most jaw-dropping display of life's memorabilia.

These inspirational qualities and his love of life touched everyone he encountered. Whether throwing Great Gatsby-esque holiday parties with friends and family, having an impromptu slow dance with the staff at Central Bank, creating imaginative designs and artwork through his business, or having a reflective, mentoring discussion with one of his children while enjoying a cool, carbonated beverage, Robert carried himself with a joy, love, passion, and class that lifted those around him.

He is survived by his wife of 49 years, Donna Quillin Johnson; children, Raiden Morgan Wilkerson, Cicely Ross (Matt) Johnson-Brooks, Merritt Chase Quillin (Cameron) Johnson-Holdcraft, and Robert Eastman (Salsabila) Johnson; siblings, William David (Karen) Johnson, Michael (Jennifer) Johnson, Becky (Mike) Brennan, and Debbie (Donnie Fields) Fariello; brother-in-law, Ralph Cutler (Donna Bell) Quillin; and grandchildren, Killian Morgan Wilkerson, Liam Scott Wilkerson, Katelyn Marie Wilkerson, Adeleine Sophia Johnson, Audrey Marie Brooks, and Beada Margaret Brooks. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother, Richard Johnson, sister-in-law, Sally Slayton Quillin, and son-in-law, Joe Scott Wilkerson. We know they greeted him with open arms and laughter. Robert is also survived by numerous nieces, nephews, and dear friends.

Please come celebrate the life of this legendary man on Friday, April 24, from 3-6 PM at Ss. Francis & John Parish at Cardome. A memorial mass will be at 6 PM conducted by Rev. Linh Nguyen. In lieu of flowers, the family welcomes donations to the AMEN House, PO Box 211, Georgetown, KY 40324.