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Karl Alan Johnson is now sleeping in Jesus’s arms on July 15, 2024 do to Amloydosis and complications of dibetus. He was born on March 27, 1953 to Della Trowbridge and Wayne Johnson. He was named for his dad’s oldest brother Karl. He learned to read when he was four years old. Karl attended school in Grants Pass, Oregon and graduated from Grants Pass High School He began his mechanical career when his dad bought him a old lawn mower and tool set of his own when he was four years old so he would stay out of dad’s tools. He earned a Master Mechanic degree from Rouge Community College. He also at the age of 16 he earned his pilot license and bought his own plane. He spent part of his growing up years on His grandpa and grandma’s homestead and gold mine. He received his draft papers before he graduated from high school and decided that he would join the Navy the safer service. Janet an he married just out of high school and that union brought into this world Adam and Amanda. He served two tours in Vietnam. Since he was well versed on airplanes and tools his military job was an air craft mechanic and he also served as an security supervisor. He served on the flight deck of the Midway, Coral Sea, and Kitty Hawk aircraft carriers. By the way the flight deck of an air craft carrier is one of the most dangerous jobs in the military. In the eight years in the Navy he earned the Vietnam Service Medal, Republic of Vietnam Campaign medal with device (1960), Presidential Unit Citation, and national Defense Service. Also during his life he drove truck and helped manage a dairy farm.
In his life before Christ,he made decisions that hurt people but he made a decision that he did not want that kind of life anymore and he gave his life to Jesus and was a member of the Tillamook Seventh Day Adventist Church and Oretown Healing Water Bible church of God. The Sabbath Day was always a great day of rest Karl’s words – “God works in ways that we do not understand. I tutored reading and horticulture and participated and help set up music and led out in chapel while incarcerated. God used my time and experiences while incarcerated as a blessing to help me he , grow, and learn who Jesus Christ really is.” (personal note from Roberta -Karl did not take care of himself and he lived as long as he did because of God and his mother’s prayers. I believe that God sent him to prison because he told me that when he was arrested that be could not have been a worse person. God can help a person in their worst state to become a better person.) A major step in his life was reconnecting with his son and brother. Praise god. Music was a big part of his life. He played the 12 string guitar beautifully but lost the guitar and then found it again which was a miracle in his life – a major high. He was a life member of VFW 2848 Bay City where he seived as chaplin and a Grange member of the Sand Lake Grange.
On November 2, 2014 he married Roberta Grunder. They lived for five years on a small fann I Pleasent Valley off grid until his health dictated that we move to a place with electricity. We bought the Oretown Grange Hall and made it into our home. While he was able to travel we took day trips, visited where his dad grew up in Utah, enjoyed going out to dinner, watched the sunset at Netarts Bay, enjoyed attending church, making the Oretown Grange into our home, and sat in the pool at Belknap Hot Springs while it was snowing on our honeymoon.
He loved his 2010 Dodge Ram diesel, his hot rod, with the big tires and big front bumper. Even with his health deteriorating he figured out a way to get in and out of the truck.
He is survived by his wife Roberta, son Adam, brother Ron, daughter Amanda, daughter Peggy and grandchildren Bethany, Khelben, Lucas, Kaleb, Garrett, and Wyatt, and two grand daughters. His dad and mom and sister Vrrginia Facer preceded him in death.
Many thanks for the support of my family, Ron Johnson, Adam Johnson, Tillamook Adventist Hospital, ‘Illlamook Home Health, Signature Home Health, Traditions Health hospice, Dr. Meir, Belin, Lana, the Tillamook community, Tillamook Adventist Church, and Oretown Healing Water Bible Church of God with helping Karl and I deal with his health problems.
The Memorial will be at the Healing Water Bible Church of God in Oretown 41507 Oretown Rd. E, Cloverdale, Or 97112 on August 3, 2024 at 4pm. Picnic with hamburgers and polish sausage following service. Bring picnic food. Call for further information 503-354-4569 (Roberta), or 541-671- 5588 (pastor Brian). Contributions can be made to VFW 2848 Bay City, Tillamook Home Health, and Signature Home Health.
