HARDIN — Douglas Einar Johnson, 70, passed away on Wednesday morning, December 12, 2012, at Murray-Calloway County Hospital, Murray, Ky.

He was born Jan. 2, 1942, at the Norwegian hospital in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn, N.Y., to Einar Stanley and Howella McCurdy Johnson, who preceded him in death.

Doug is survived by his cherished wife of 49 years, Carolyn Pace Johnson of Hardin, KY.; daughter, Annette Johnson Hand; son-in-law, Charles Hand; grandson, Brennan Douglas Hand; granddaughter, Sophie Caroline Hand, all of Cincinnati, Ohio; brothers, Clifford Johnson of Old Lyme, Conn., and Mark Johnson of Houston, Texas; nieces, Elizabeth Pace of Houston, Texas, and Amanda Pace of Nashville, Tenn.; grandniece, Savanna Buckingham of Houston, Texas; brother-in-law, Douglas Pace of Washington, D.C.; “sister-in-law,” Janice Pace Miller and husband Ron Miller, of Bonita Springs, Fla.; and extended family and many friends.

At the age of 18, he left New York to attend Abilene Christian University, Abilene, Texas, and later graduated from Murray State University, Murray, Ky. Over his successful 40-year career in sales management for major food corporations, he was afforded the opportunity to visit all 48 of the continental states. Thank goodness he loved to travel! After living in Houston, Texas, for over 30 years, he and Carolyn retired to the beloved Pace family home on the hill in Hardin.

He was thankful for his two church families, Bammel Church of Christ, Houston, Texas, and University Church of Christ, Murray, Ky.

Friends may visit with the family on Friday, Dec. 14, from 5 to 8 p.m. at Collier Funeral Home in Benton. Funeral services will be held in the chapel of Collier Funeral Home on Saturday, Dec. 15, at 1 p.m., followed by burial at Pace Cemetery, Hardin, Ky.

Memorial contributions can be made to an organization of your choice or to Eastern Europe Mission. Since 1961, EEM has provided Bibles and biblical literature in the languages of Eastern Europe — EEM, P.O. Box 670982, Dallas, TX 75367-0928.