Raymond P. Johnson

1926-2017

Raymond Paul Johnson passed to eternal rest on Sunday, May 7, 2017 in Arroyo Grande, CA.

Ray was born September 13, 1926 at the old Burnett Sanitarium in Fresno, CA to Paul M. and Anna M. Johnson, and was raised on the same 60 acre farm in Fresno upon which his father was also born, and which was established by Ray’s grandfather Eric Johnson, who served with the Union Army in the Civil War; and who was one of the first three original settlers of the Scandinavian Colony, which was established in NorthEast Fresno during 1881.

Ray attended Scandinavian Grammar School, and graduated from Clovis Union High School in 1944.

He served in the U.S. Navy during WW2, with the majority of that time period being attached to the South Pacific Island of Guam. Upon honorable discharge at war’s end; he attended Central California Commercial College, and was then employed by a local Accounting Firm before establishing his own Public Accounting Practice. But after a few years in the business, he found the Profession to be tedious and unfulfilling. In the years following the sale of his Practice, he was in & out of the Automobile Business; as an accountant, controller, lessor, buyer, seller, partner, and /or owner. During the decade before retiring in 1995, he was the managing partner of Storage Containers of Fresno; leasing, renting and selling Storage Containers.

Ray was a Past Grand President of the Native Sons of the Golden West, a Statewide Fraternal Organization; and a Director Emeritus of the Native Sons Charitable Foundation, whose major function is the treatment of children with cleft palate and/or other related facial anomalies. He was currently serving as Dean of the Past Grand President’s’ Association.

During his exceedingly successful term as Grand President in 1972-73, among the many prestigious sites throughout California that he and his team of Grand Officers dedicated, was the new large City Hall complex in San Bernardino, and the Mayor Z.S. Leymel Park at Broadway and Divisadero Streets in Fresno.

Ray’s other affiliations included membership in First Covenant Church of Fresno; Los Banos Parlor #206 NSGW, formerly of Fresno Parlor #25 NSGW; Past Presidents’ Assemble #12 NSGW; Fresno Lodge #247 F&AM; Norden Lodge #648, Vasa Order of America; Fresno Historical Society; New Helvetia Chapter of E. Clampus Vitas; and a life membership in the Phi Theta Pi Fraternity.

He was previously an involved member of both the East Fresno Lions Club, and the Dinuba Kiwanis Club. He was a Past President and Treasurer Emeritus of the Fresno Independent Automobile Dealers Association. Additionally, he was an Officer of the Statewide Independent Automobile Dealers Association of California for several years. In retirement he spent parttime of 17 years researching and compiling the family history of both his parents; with each generation back to the year 1510, both in Sweden and the United States.

Ray was predeceased by both parents, and his brother Gerald D. Johnson. He is survived by his beloved wife Loretta of Pismo Beach, CA; son Eric R. Johnson and wife Pamela of Clovis; daughter Jan and husband Jeff Stoeckle of Palmer AK; grandson Adam Johnson and wife Dee of Clovis; and grand daughter Emily Johnson Dudley and husband Blake of Fresno.

Ray and Loretta had maintained a second home in Pismo Beach area of California since 1981, and moved there permanently in 1995. They traveled extensively, both within the United States and abroad, in addition to annual visits at their time shares on the beaches of Maui and Waikiki, Honolulu.

Visitation will be held at Stephens & Bean Chapel, 202 N. Teilman Ave. Fresno, CA on Friday, May 12, 2017 from 11:00 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.

A Graveside service will be held at the Danish Section of Mountain View Cemetery, Fresno, CA on Friday, May 12, 2017 at 2:00 p.m.

Remembrances may be sent to the Native Sons of Golden West Charitable Foundation (Cleft Palate), 414 Mason St, San Francisco, CA 94102-1708 or First Covenant Church of Fresno, 2767 E. Shaw Ave. #106, Fresno, CA 93710 or to your favorite Church or Charity. It will be most appreciated.

Condolences may be offered by visiting stephensandbean.com

STEPHENS & BEAN CHAPEL 202 No. Teilman Ave. Fresno (559)268-9292