Plane crash claims four Texas members

BRANSON, MO — Four church members from Texas died when the twin-engine plane they were flying crashed into a storage building and burst into flames a few hundred feet from this resort town’s main strip.

The small Piper Seneca piloted by PaulJohnson apparently had mechanical problems before it went down in late March,according to news reports.

Johnson and his wife, Marcia, both 71,and Bill and Betty Roach, both 78, were returning home to Lubbock from a vacation in Branson.

Married for 47 years, the Johnsons werelongtime members of the Broadway church, where he served as an elder from 1992to 2001. A dentist, Paul Johnson also was an Abilene Christian University trustee and amember of the university’s Sports Hall of Fame. A former newspaper reporter andlibrarian, Marcia Johnson wrote the Sunset church bulletin for 10 years andlater enjoyed writing feature articles for the Broadway bulletin.

Married for 57 years, the Roaches weremembers of the Sunset church. A retired elementary school principal, Bill Roachwas a member of the Lion’s Club and enjoyed golf. Betty Roach, who taught in Lubbock public schoolsfor 30 years, was a member of the Junior League of Lubbock, Heritage StudyClub, bridge clubs, and enjoyed Texas Tech athletics.

May 1, 2006