Lebaron Paul Johnson

LeBaron Paul Johnson, MD, 93, died Saturday, July 19, after a short illness. He was born March 12, 1921 in Detroit Michigan, the son of Norman and Ruth (Leff) Johnson. Shortly after his birth, the family moved to Geneva, IL where he lived until enrolling in the University of Illinois, Champaign-Urbana. He was a member of the Delta Sigma Phi fraternity and a member of the advanced ROTC. He then went to the University of Illinois College of Medicine, where he was a member of the Phi Beta Pi medical fraternity. He graduated with an MD degree December, 1941, and commissioned as a lieutenant (junior grade) in the U.S. Naval Reserve and served an internship at the U.S. Naval Hospital at Mare Island, CA. Following discharge, he accepted a position as house physician at Swedish-American Hospital for one year, and subsequently joined the Lundholm and Green family practice group. His practice expanded in OB/GYN and privileges in general surgery, later opening the Office of Family Practice.
He was a charter Fellow of the Academy of Family Physicians, Illinois State Medical Society, Society of Teachers of Family Medicine, and numerous other medical associations and boards. He was a recipient of the Register-Star Excalibur award in 1980.
His teaching appointments include the Swedish-American Hospital School of Nursing, Professor of Family Medicine, University of Illinois College of Medicine at Rockford, Founder and Director of the Family Practice Residency and Emeritus Professor of Family Medicine, and had numerous publications during these years.
In 1968-1971, he was instrumental in bringing a regional medical school to Rockford, founding the Residency in Family Practice on the Rockford Campus, and was head of the Department of Family and Community Medicine as Professor until retiring as Emeritus Professor of Family and Community Medicine. Later, the L.P. Johnson Family Health Center, a comprehensive family medicine teaching facility associated with the University of Illinois College of Medicine was established.

He married Lisa Ferris Rubin on June 26, 1993. He was an avid golfer as a member of Forest Hills and later, Rockford Country Club, a fisherman, and downhill skier, sculptor and artist. He was a lifelong Cubs fan and a devoted follower of his Illini sports teams. He is predeceased by his first wife of 49 years, Cathryn, and his son, Jeffrey Paul Johnson. He is survived by his wife Lisa, children Jennifer Burian (Ronald) of Madison, WI, Cathryn Jess (Reggie) of Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, grandchildren Caleb Payne (Andrea), Elly Burian (Joshua Sullivan) of Madison, Wisconsin, Jesse Johnson, Joana Haala (Shawn), and Riley Shaughnessy (Nicole) of St. Paul, MN, and great grandchildren Liam Paul and Annabelle Rose Shaughnessy of St. Paul, and Luca Carolyn Payne and Wilder LeBaron Payne of Madison, Wisconsin.
Memorial Mass will be at 11:00 A.M., Saturday, July 26, 2014, at Holy Family Catholic Church 4401 Highcrest Rd. Rockford. Private family burial in Greenwood Cemetery. Visitation will be from 5:00 P.M. until 7:00 P. M. Friday, July 25, 2014, at Fitzgerald Funeral Home and Crematory, Mulford Chapel, 1860 S. Mulford Rd. Rockford, 61108.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the
University of Illinois College of Medicine at Rockford, attn. Director of Advancement,
1601 Parkview AV., Rockford, IL, 61107, the
Swedish American Hospital Foundation, 1415 East State Street, Ste. 100, Rockford, Il, 61104, or a charity of your choice. Share online condolences at www.fitzgeraldfh.com.