John Elbert Johnson

On March 17th 2020 John Elbert Johnson went from the arms of his family on earth to the arms of his Heavenly Father and deceased parents. John was born on 1 November 1940 in Warsaw, New York. His early years were spent with his parents in Attica, New York. After the death of his father, he and his mother moved to Delevan, NY to live with his maternal grandparents, and eventually back to Attica New York.

As John grew into manhood, he had many surrogate fathers who nurtured him including his uncles and grandfathers, as well as his stepfather, Elmer Paugh who entered his life at the age of 12. John excelled in almost every sport and learned much about life from his many coaches. In later life, he took up the game of golf and thoroughly enjoyed the game and the many friendships he made with fellow golfers.

At the age of 19, John enlisted in the army for 3 years. He was stationed at a missile base in New York and also in France with an Engineer battalion. While stationed in New York, he married his high school sweetheart Kathy Wheeler. That union produced 4 children and lasted almost 59 years. After leaving the military, John worked for Fisher Price, Homepride Bakery, Metropolitan Life Insurance and finally Arcata Graphics in Erie County, New York. In 1977, the family moved to Portland Oregon where John continued his printing career at Norwest Publishing, later sold to R.R. Donnelly Co. He was a journeyman printer, in charge of his own crew.

His love of sports and for children inspired John to volunteer as a coach for Little League and Babe Ruth baseball as well as teen basketball. He did this for 30 years, starting in France while in the Army and then in Buffalo, New York and Portland Oregon. During his adult life, he played in a slow-pitch softball team and several men's basketball teams.

After retirement, he and his wife moved to Hoodsport, Washington. While there he served on the Lake Cushman board of directors and held many positions in the men’s golf club.

John was a loving husband, father and friend who will be missed by many. He enriched the lives of many with whom he came in contact, and loved to tell a good story.

He is survived by his wife, Kathleen Frances Johnson and children: Linda Beauchaine,(Bob), Jerald Johnson (Sue), William Johnson (Amy) and Dean Johnson. He is also survived by 8 grandchildren and 4 step-grandchildren, as well as his sister Judith Ann, of Attica, NY, and half-brother James Paugh of Leroy, New York and half-sister Susan (Paugh)Miller of Rocky Mt., Virginia. John is preceded in death by his parents Walter Albert Johnson and Julia Majle (Reese)Johnson, Paugh, Kelly. John's older brother Jerrol died before John was born.

The funeral and interment will take place on Tuesday March 24th, 2020 at 10:00 am at Willamette National Cemetery, Portland, OR.