Ray Padre Johnson is often referred to as a modern day renaissance man. While in Vietnam, Padre entered the Navy Chaplain Corps. During this time he worked in the hospitals as well as the prisons as a chaplain. While working as a Medical Chaplain for an elite assault team, he was often referred to as “Padre” or “Doc” by his fellow soldiers. Although injured twice while serving, he was part of numerous rescue missions. Ultimately he became the highest decorated Chaplain in American History. By 1979 Johnson took a “leave of absence” from the ministry. This was a result of a minor debate with the heads of his church. He then went to Wyoming where he got work as a cowboy on a local ranch. One day, in exchange for a saddle, he gave his boss a sketch he had done which was noticed by a very distinguished gallery. From that point on his career as a professional artist had begun.