Obituary of George Homer Johnson

George H. Johnson September 9, 1921 – March 19, 2012 George Homer Johnson went home to be with the Lord on Monday, March 19, 2012 at the age of 90. Dad was born in St Paul, Minnesota, the son of Baptist Minister Dr. Linus Johnson, who had emigrated from Sweden, and his wife Clancee. Four children were born, Beulah, George, Earl and Marion. Upon the early and unexpected death of his wife, Dr. Johnson married Ruth Oden. As a child of a noted minister, George spent time in Lindsborg, Kansas, McKeesport, Pennsylvania, Duluth, Minnesota (Denfield High graduate), and Stromsburg, Nebraska. Dad enlisted in the U.S. Army, serving from July 1942-December 1945. He went on to serve in Europe during World War II, serving as tank commander in the 8th Armored Division. His years in the service, where he endured serious wounds, had significant and lasting effects on his life and character. On March 24, 1944, he married that beautiful girl he met at church camp, Marion Blomquist of Moline, Illinois. They were married 65 years before her passing in 2009. After moving to Portland, George graduated magna cum laude from the University of Portland in 1948 and started his family in Northeast Portland. Dad worked in the insurance business for most of his life, working for Business Men's Assurance Company, Investors Insurance Corp, and First Farwest Life. He also served for several years as deputy Insurance Commissioner of Oregon. After retirement he started "The Insurance School", where he taught others the business. He loved the school, as he was always a teacher at heart. For most of his life, he maintained a very high degree of fitness and took up jogging long before it became popular. He always looked for the good in those he met, and was blessed with an eternally optimistic spirit. He loved to laugh. Dad is survived by his brother and two sisters; his children Steve ( Dee), Ann Zelenka (Tom), Tom (Lorrie), and Paul (Marsha) all of whom graduated from Vernon Elementary and Jefferson High School. Growing up, our family may not have had it all together, but together, we had it all. Dad is also survived by grandchildren Alissa Keske, Suzanne Johnson, Cherie Bidwell, Andrew, Peter, and Chris Zelenka, and Joshua, Nate, and Laura Johnson. He is also survived by nine great grandchildren, Olivia, Kenny, Austin, Tyler, Ellianna, Nickolas, Colton, Cannon and Audrey Ann. A Celebration of Life service will be held at 11:00am on April 14that Temple Baptist Church, 1319 N.E. 7th Ave, Portland 97232, where George's father served as pastor for 16 years and where George and Marion were members for over 60 years. The family wants to express its gratitude for the kindness and care that George received from Encore Senior Village (Pacifica), with a special thank you to those who continued faithful visits, prayers, and support for dad through the last ten years. Memorials may be given to Temple Baptist Church with memo, Camp Scholarship Programs. Service Information