Life Story for Raymond "Ray" Wallace Johnson
Raymond “Ray” Wallace Johnson, 82 of The Dalles, Oregon, passed to the next life, March 4, 2019 at his home, with his family by his side.
Ray was born June 25, 1936 the second child to Andrew Arthur Johnson and Anita Eulice Johnson (Spencer). He attended school in North Bonneville, WA, Stevenson, WA, Umatilla, OR and graduated from The Dalles High School in 1954.
Ray married Barbara Louise Anderson on February 19, 1962, in Goldendale, WA and they had three children; Neil, Todd and Tammy. Ray had jobs at Boeing, The John Day Dam and The Bonnevile Dam, but he mostly worked in the construction field running various pieces of equipment and grade checking. He even ventured to Alaska in the 80s for the construction boom. Since the construction work was seasonal, he also sold Christmas trees for a few years, and would rototill gardens, trim trees, and do odd jobs in his off time. Ray was quite the handy man, helping with various building projects in his own home and the homes of relatives, working on vehicles, repairing equipment, and at times rebuilding engines. He was always up for a challenge. Ray enjoyed playing the guitar and harmonica, bowling, snow skiing, traveling, fishing, spending time with his grandkids, and attending church. He even bought a share of an airplane so he could take flying lessons.
In 1979, he laid his last pack of cigarettes at the base of a cross at a church in Toledo, Oregon and gave up his bad habits for God. It wasn’t easy, but he made the commitment and turned his life over to God. He was ready to share his passion and love of Christ with anyone who would listen, and some that didn’t want to. Sometimes he would go to the jail and testify to the inmates.
Ray is survived by his wife Barbara; children, Neil Johnson, Todd Johnson and his wife Lucy, and Tammy Keys; grandchildren, Andrew Johnson, Ashley Macnab and her husband Josh, and Nevan, Abbey, and Fisher Keys; great grandchildren, Raelynn and Natalie Macnab; sister JoAlice Forrister; sister-in-law Joan Johnson; and multiple nieces, nephews, cousins and in-laws.
He was preceded in death by his parents, younger brother Reuben Johnson and nephew James Johnson.
The family would like to send out a heartfelt thank you to the amazing staff at Heart of Hospice for all their help and understanding during this difficult time in their lives.
A memorial service is planned for 1:00pm, March 30, 2019 at The Dalles Eagles Lodge.
Arrangements are under the direction of Anderson's Tribute Center • Celilo Chapel 204 E. 4th Street, The Dalles, Oregon 97058. Visit www.AndersonsTributeCenter.com to leave a note of condolence for the family.
Ray was born June 25, 1936 the second child to Andrew Arthur Johnson and Anita Eulice Johnson (Spencer). He attended school in North Bonneville, WA, Stevenson, WA, Umatilla, OR and graduated from The Dalles High School in 1954.
Ray married Barbara Louise Anderson on February 19, 1962, in Goldendale, WA and they had three children; Neil, Todd and Tammy. Ray had jobs at Boeing, The John Day Dam and The Bonnevile Dam, but he mostly worked in the construction field running various pieces of equipment and grade checking. He even ventured to Alaska in the 80s for the construction boom. Since the construction work was seasonal, he also sold Christmas trees for a few years, and would rototill gardens, trim trees, and do odd jobs in his off time. Ray was quite the handy man, helping with various building projects in his own home and the homes of relatives, working on vehicles, repairing equipment, and at times rebuilding engines. He was always up for a challenge. Ray enjoyed playing the guitar and harmonica, bowling, snow skiing, traveling, fishing, spending time with his grandkids, and attending church. He even bought a share of an airplane so he could take flying lessons.
In 1979, he laid his last pack of cigarettes at the base of a cross at a church in Toledo, Oregon and gave up his bad habits for God. It wasn’t easy, but he made the commitment and turned his life over to God. He was ready to share his passion and love of Christ with anyone who would listen, and some that didn’t want to. Sometimes he would go to the jail and testify to the inmates.
Ray is survived by his wife Barbara; children, Neil Johnson, Todd Johnson and his wife Lucy, and Tammy Keys; grandchildren, Andrew Johnson, Ashley Macnab and her husband Josh, and Nevan, Abbey, and Fisher Keys; great grandchildren, Raelynn and Natalie Macnab; sister JoAlice Forrister; sister-in-law Joan Johnson; and multiple nieces, nephews, cousins and in-laws.
He was preceded in death by his parents, younger brother Reuben Johnson and nephew James Johnson.
The family would like to send out a heartfelt thank you to the amazing staff at Heart of Hospice for all their help and understanding during this difficult time in their lives.
A memorial service is planned for 1:00pm, March 30, 2019 at The Dalles Eagles Lodge.
Arrangements are under the direction of Anderson's Tribute Center • Celilo Chapel 204 E. 4th Street, The Dalles, Oregon 97058. Visit www.AndersonsTributeCenter.com to leave a note of condolence for the family.