Royce Johnson honored by Chamber of Commerce

— Chamber of Commerce President Royce Johnson and his wife Jean were presented with a lifetime award for community service from the City of Decatur and the Chamber of Commerce.

Pat and Lester Austin,David Flynt and Donna Jennings visited the Johnsons in the Legacy Park Hospice on April 12 to present the award. Royce passed away on April 16 after a long battle with cancer.

The award meant a lot to him in the days before his death, Jean said.

“Thank you from the bottom of my heart,” she told the chamber during the May 2 meeting.

The inscription on the glass figurine states “Presented to Royce and Jean Johnson. The City of Decatur and the Decatur Chamber of Commerce would like to thank you for all your years of community service.”

Royce and Jean have been members of the chamber of commerce since 1976 and Royce has served as president for the past eight years.He has also served the community on the city council and school board and was a member of the Decatur Fire Department for 12 years.

Royce was involved in a number of community projects over the years and was always ready to pitch in with a helping hand, chamber members recalled.

“The community of Decatur would not be where it is today without the help of Royce and Jean,” the award states.

News, Pages 8 on 05/18/2011