Woodbury Ladd Johnson

Woodbury Ladd Johnson peacefully passed away on March 13th at his home with his loving family by his side. Ladd was born in Cambridge, Md. on May 22nd, 1939. He was the son of Dr. James C. Johnson and Sara Smith Johnson. After graduating from Cambridge High School, he went on to attend Potomac State College, and graduated with a degree in Agricultural Science from The University of Maryland. On September 7th, 1959 he married the love of his life, Joan Peters.

His love for the Eastern Shore and hunting were the motivating factor for him to establish Ladd Johnson and Associates, which was a wildlife habitat consulting firm. He later created the Conservation Seed program, which is currently used throughout the U.S.

Ladd also formed the Maryland Legislative Sportsmen’s Foundation in Annapolis, MD where he received the Conservationist of The Year award in 2008, and helped form the National Assembly of Sportsmen’s Caucuses (NASC) in Washington, DC. In honor of his vision and contributions, he was awarded NASC’s highest recognition, the Brad Rowse Leadership Award in 2023.

Ladd was passionate about the community in which he had spent his entire life. He was a past commodore of the Cambridge Yacht Club, and was instrumental in revitalizing the Junior Sail program. He was also a founding member and past president of the Grand National Waterfowl Association, Chairman for the Maryland Migratory Bird Committee and Chairman of the Maryland DNR Waterfowl Commission.

Ladd was a devoted father, husband and grandfather. He is survived by his two daughters Terri Griffin and her husband Peter of Easton, Patti Godlee and her husband Tim of Cambridge. Five grandchildren, Hannah Gootee (Nick) of Cambridge, Ladd Griffin of Florida, Ian Godlee of Annapolis, Callan Godlee of Florida, and Flynn Griffin of Easton and two great grandchildren Macklin and Vivienne. His brother James Johnson Jr. and wife Sandy of Cambridge, sister Kathy Burtman and husband John of Cambridge. Ladd is now at peace, joining his sister, Cynda Hubbard and nephew Josh Johnson.

Ladd’s family mourns the loss of a truly remarkable person. He will always be remembered for his witty stories, hilarious sense of humor and friendship to all. He truly brought the life to the party.

A celebration of life will be held on Saturday, March 29, 2025 at 12pm at Grace Methodist Church in Cambridge with Rev. Chris Pettit and Rev. Shelley McCollister officiating. Family will receive friends from 11am to 12pm.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to either The Grand National Scholarship Fund, P.O. Box 106, Cambridge, MD 21613 or the Cambridge Yacht Club Junior Sail Program, 1 Mill Street, Cambridge, MD 21613. Arrangements are in the care of the Thomas Funeral Home, P.A. in Cambridge.