Richard Johnson Obituary

JOHNSON, Richard H. "Dick" (Age 80) Of Deer Park, Washington died on Monday, June 22, 2009, at the age of 80 years. Dick was born January 16, 1929, in Spokane, Washington. He attended high school in Butte, Montana, and technical school at the Layton School of Art in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, graduating in 1952. Dick served in the Marine Corps, honorably discharged on June 3, 1947 after "one year, one month and 10 days of service." Dick worked in several sign companies between Spokane and the Tri-cities: Baldwin Signs, American Sign & Indicator, CBO Sign (Tri-cities), and in the model shop at the Hanford site. His last job was at Senior Times in Spokane until his retirement in 1991. He worked as a commercial artist, but his passion was doing paintings, both portraits and landscapes. Dick's artist's eye also led to his love of photography and computer graphics. He was continually learning and studying, wanting to figure things out and see how things worked. There was always a 'why' and 'how' to be satisfied. He was an avid Star Trek fan, collecting the movies, tv shows, and other memorabilia. Dick and his wife, Doris, moved to Loon Lake from Kennewick in 1985 and enjoyed their retirement years in their home in Morgan Park. Last spring they moved to Deer Park for health and easier living, bringing with them their beloved black lab, Agape. They were active members of the Open Door Church in Deer Park. Dick was very smart and sharp mentally right up to his passing. He will be missed very much by all that knew him. He is survived by his wife of 34 years, Doris E. Johnson. His family includes son Alan L. Johnson (Jeanette) of Deer Park, daughters Debra Meadows (Ron) of Chewelah, Cathy Cantlon (Tony) of Chatteroy, and step-sons Michael Haley (Judy) of Clipper Mills, CA and Stephen Haley (Lisa) of Foster City, CA. Their families gave Dick and Doris 15 grandchildren and, at best count, 31 great-grandchildren. Services are being held at 2:00 PM on Tuesday, June 30, at the Open Door Congregational Church, Deer Park, WA. Contact: (509) 276-5107.