Raoul Fenton Johnson

Raoul Fenton Johnson departed this earthly life on Sunday, November 5, 2023 in a
hospital near his home in Schaumburg, Illinois. Raoul was born January 2, 1936 in
Nashville, Tennessee to Torrey and Mary Vantrease Johnson.

Raoul received his elementary education in Dayton, Tennessee and most of his
high school at WCHS graduating with the class of 1954. He was an Eagle Scout, a
member of the Beta Club, played basketball and was an outstanding running back
for the football team.

After high school, he had a brief stint at Vanderbilt University before transferring
to Austin Peay in Clarksville, Tennessee where he earned a Bachelor’s Degree in
English. Raoul then received a Teaching Assistantship at the University of Illinois
in Champaign-Urbana, Illinois where he earned both a Master’s Degree and a PhD
in Theatre.

Raoul began his teaching career at the University of Georgia in Athens, Georgia
but, after four years, he decided Chicago would be his home. He taught briefly at
the University of Illinois, Chicago Circle and then found (or they found him) Loyola
University (Lake Shore Campus) and it was a mutual love affair after that. During
his 32 years there, he taught Theatre Technology, Stage Craft, Set Design, Acting,
Stage Make-up and Stage Combat plus designing and building all the sets for their
theatrical productions. As a member of Actor’s Equity, Raoul also acted
professionally in several productions. He also acted in and built sets for local
community theatres, designed and built for commercials for TV, designed, built
and often starred in instructional videos such as stage combat and edged
weapons. All told, Raoul acted in, designed or built more than 200 productions
during his long 42-year career.

Along with his parents, Torrey and Mary Johnson, Raoul is also preceded in death
by his brother-in-law, Bobby Capps.

Left to cherish his memory is his wife of 66 years, Mary Sue (Susy) Anderson, his
sons, Quin (Liza), Clint (Theresa), his daughter, Danielle (Uly Umanos), his
grandchildren, Alexandra, Ian, Evan, and Elliot, and his only sister, Virginia
Johnson Capps.

He is also survived by several nieces and nephews, many great nieces and
nephews, hundreds of former students who still adore him, and his beloved black
cat, Cleo.

A visitation will be held at Luff-Bowen Funeral Home on Saturday Dec 2, 2023
from 11:00 am until 2:00 pm at which time a memorial service will be held.
Interment will follow at Richlawn Cemetery. Conducting services will be Ronnie
Hughes and Jeremy McFarlin.

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to your local Humane Society.