Lawrence LaMar "Larry" Johnson flew West on
April 15, 2020, ending a full life of love, adventure, hard work and compassion for others. He
was 92 years old and just shy of celebrating his
70th wedding anniversary with his loving wife,
Glenda Heaton Johnson. Larry, as he was usually
called, is survived by his wife, Glenda and his four
sons: Lawrence Kevin Johnson (Elodie), Hayden
Corey Johnson (Dawn), Erick Lane Johnson (Teresa) and Thorne Cameron Johnson (Barbara). He
is also survived by eight grandchildren and five
great-grandchildren, as well as two "adopted" sons:
Dean Sawyer (Marie) and Dennis Bishop (Angie) of Newport, OR. Larry
was born on March 11, 1928, the eve of the Great Depression. The next 18
years of his life did not defeat him, however - they defined him. Many years
later, he would observe that "If somehow, we were to lose everything, I know
that I would find a way to get along … I could figure out how to survive.
Because basically, that's what I've had to do all my life." Our father was the
best role model any child could ever ask for. He was honest to a fault; he
loved his family and he worked hard to make sure we all had everything we
needed. He was a World War II era veteran of the US Navy, trained as a
Hospital Corpsman and attached to the Marines as a field medic. During
the Korean War he was recalled to active duty as a Navy Corpsman and assigned to a medical dispensary. As the result of training he received in the
Navy, he chose to become an Optician. After his kids were grown and on
their own, he and our mom embarked on their last big adventure when they
moved to a beautiful spot on the Oregon coast called Newport, where he
helped establish an eye care practice called Hospital Optical. They enjoyed
40 wonderful years there, in their house on the hill overlooking Yaquina
Bay, the Newport bay front, the Yaquina Bay Bridge and the blue Pacific
beyond. Larry would not want us to write an extended obituary. But here
are a few things that he should be remembered for: First, he never knew a
stranger. Second, he did everything he could to help someone in need. He
was a volunteer with the IRS income tax assistance program for the elderly
and also enjoyed taking first time flyers along for scenic rides in his Cessna
172 – especially the elderly. Third, he had a passion for helping veterans of
the WW II and Korean War eras. Whether or not you knew our father, you
can honor his life and your own by helping someone in need. Our father's
favorite expression was "Don't forget who loves you". We heard that all our
lives, and we will never forget his love.
April 15, 2020, ending a full life of love, adventure, hard work and compassion for others. He
was 92 years old and just shy of celebrating his
70th wedding anniversary with his loving wife,
Glenda Heaton Johnson. Larry, as he was usually
called, is survived by his wife, Glenda and his four
sons: Lawrence Kevin Johnson (Elodie), Hayden
Corey Johnson (Dawn), Erick Lane Johnson (Teresa) and Thorne Cameron Johnson (Barbara). He
is also survived by eight grandchildren and five
great-grandchildren, as well as two "adopted" sons:
Dean Sawyer (Marie) and Dennis Bishop (Angie) of Newport, OR. Larry
was born on March 11, 1928, the eve of the Great Depression. The next 18
years of his life did not defeat him, however - they defined him. Many years
later, he would observe that "If somehow, we were to lose everything, I know
that I would find a way to get along … I could figure out how to survive.
Because basically, that's what I've had to do all my life." Our father was the
best role model any child could ever ask for. He was honest to a fault; he
loved his family and he worked hard to make sure we all had everything we
needed. He was a World War II era veteran of the US Navy, trained as a
Hospital Corpsman and attached to the Marines as a field medic. During
the Korean War he was recalled to active duty as a Navy Corpsman and assigned to a medical dispensary. As the result of training he received in the
Navy, he chose to become an Optician. After his kids were grown and on
their own, he and our mom embarked on their last big adventure when they
moved to a beautiful spot on the Oregon coast called Newport, where he
helped establish an eye care practice called Hospital Optical. They enjoyed
40 wonderful years there, in their house on the hill overlooking Yaquina
Bay, the Newport bay front, the Yaquina Bay Bridge and the blue Pacific
beyond. Larry would not want us to write an extended obituary. But here
are a few things that he should be remembered for: First, he never knew a
stranger. Second, he did everything he could to help someone in need. He
was a volunteer with the IRS income tax assistance program for the elderly
and also enjoyed taking first time flyers along for scenic rides in his Cessna
172 – especially the elderly. Third, he had a passion for helping veterans of
the WW II and Korean War eras. Whether or not you knew our father, you
can honor his life and your own by helping someone in need. Our father's
favorite expression was "Don't forget who loves you". We heard that all our
lives, and we will never forget his love.
Lawrence LaMar "Larry" Johnson flew West on
April 15, 2020, ending a full life of love, adventure, hard work and compassion for others. He
was 92 years old and just shy of celebrating his
70th wedding anniversary with his loving wife,
Glenda Heaton Johnson. Larry, as he was usually
called, is survived by his wife, Glenda and his four
sons: Lawrence Kevin Johnson (Elodie), Hayden
Corey Johnson (Dawn), Erick Lane Johnson (Teresa) and Thorne Cameron Johnson (Barbara). He
is also survived by eight grandchildren and five
great-grandchildren, as well as two "adopted" sons:
Dean Sawyer (Marie) and Dennis Bishop (Angie) of Newport, OR. Larry
was born on March 11, 1928, the eve of the Great Depression. The next 18
years of his life did not defeat him, however - they defined him. Many years
later, he would observe that "If somehow, we were to lose everything, I know
that I would find a way to get along … I could figure out how to survive.
Because basically, that's what I've had to do all my life." Our father was the
best role model any child could ever ask for. He was honest to a fault; he
loved his family and he worked hard to make sure we all had everything we
needed. He was a World War II era veteran of the US Navy, trained as a
Hospital Corpsman and attached to the Marines as a field medic. During
the Korean War he was recalled to active duty as a Navy Corpsman and assigned to a medical dispensary. As the result of training he received in the
Navy, he chose to become an Optician. After his kids were grown and on
their own, he and our mom embarked on their last big adventure when they
moved to a beautiful spot on the Oregon coast called Newport, where he
helped establish an eye care practice called Hospital Optical. They enjoyed
40 wonderful years there, in their house on the hill overlooking Yaquina
Bay, the Newport bay front, the Yaquina Bay Bridge and the blue Pacific
beyond. Larry would not want us to write an extended obituary. But here
are a few things that he should be remembered for: First, he never knew a
stranger. Second, he did everything he could to help someone in need. He
was a volunteer with the IRS income tax assistance program for the elderly
and also enjoyed taking first time flyers along for scenic rides in his Cessna
172 – especially the elderly. Third, he had a passion for helping veterans of
the WW II and Korean War eras. Whether or not you knew our father, you
can honor his life and your own by helping someone in need. Our father's
favorite expression was "Don't forget who loves you". We heard that all our
lives, and we will never forget his love.
April 15, 2020, ending a full life of love, adventure, hard work and compassion for others. He
was 92 years old and just shy of celebrating his
70th wedding anniversary with his loving wife,
Glenda Heaton Johnson. Larry, as he was usually
called, is survived by his wife, Glenda and his four
sons: Lawrence Kevin Johnson (Elodie), Hayden
Corey Johnson (Dawn), Erick Lane Johnson (Teresa) and Thorne Cameron Johnson (Barbara). He
is also survived by eight grandchildren and five
great-grandchildren, as well as two "adopted" sons:
Dean Sawyer (Marie) and Dennis Bishop (Angie) of Newport, OR. Larry
was born on March 11, 1928, the eve of the Great Depression. The next 18
years of his life did not defeat him, however - they defined him. Many years
later, he would observe that "If somehow, we were to lose everything, I know
that I would find a way to get along … I could figure out how to survive.
Because basically, that's what I've had to do all my life." Our father was the
best role model any child could ever ask for. He was honest to a fault; he
loved his family and he worked hard to make sure we all had everything we
needed. He was a World War II era veteran of the US Navy, trained as a
Hospital Corpsman and attached to the Marines as a field medic. During
the Korean War he was recalled to active duty as a Navy Corpsman and assigned to a medical dispensary. As the result of training he received in the
Navy, he chose to become an Optician. After his kids were grown and on
their own, he and our mom embarked on their last big adventure when they
moved to a beautiful spot on the Oregon coast called Newport, where he
helped establish an eye care practice called Hospital Optical. They enjoyed
40 wonderful years there, in their house on the hill overlooking Yaquina
Bay, the Newport bay front, the Yaquina Bay Bridge and the blue Pacific
beyond. Larry would not want us to write an extended obituary. But here
are a few things that he should be remembered for: First, he never knew a
stranger. Second, he did everything he could to help someone in need. He
was a volunteer with the IRS income tax assistance program for the elderly
and also enjoyed taking first time flyers along for scenic rides in his Cessna
172 – especially the elderly. Third, he had a passion for helping veterans of
the WW II and Korean War eras. Whether or not you knew our father, you
can honor his life and your own by helping someone in need. Our father's
favorite expression was "Don't forget who loves you". We heard that all our
lives, and we will never forget his love.
Family Members
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
Advertisement
