Obituary of Edward Johann

Ed Johann passed away peacefully on Tuesday December 26th at 7:25pm. Ed was born on July 11 1923 in San Fernando Valley and lived a modest childhood full of family, fun, hunting and adventure. Ed enjoyed going to movies in his early teens, and as he tells it, he and his brother Kenneth each got a nickel and went to the picture shows. Ed was overtaken by sailors dancing flocked with ladies and thought I’m going to join the Navy. Little did he know that on the early morning hours of December 7, 1941 Japanese bombers came into Pearl Harbor to decimate the Navy ships. Ed was thrown into helping others at the age of 17. He and some other men jumped in a skiff, and started motoring out to the USS Arizona to help haul the wounded out of the harbor to safety. This moment of hours shaped Ed’s life for the next 83 years. Attracted to hazardous adventures Ed joined the Portland fire department in 1951, climbed peaks and mountains with the Mazama’s climbing club, and started his own mountain guide service. During these years, he was also a member of the Oregon search and rescue and assisted in saving lives during this time. From the mid-50s throughout the 70s Ed summitted 83 peaks in the US Canada Peru, Guatemala and Mexico. He spent his spare time volunteering with Meals on Wheels, Toys for Tots, working out for bodybuilding competitions and was a semi pro boxer named Joe Hann. In 1979 Ed retired from the Portland fire department and moved to the cottage in Siletz bay that he and his father built. Ed volunteered for many different organizations while living at the Oregon coast. As a result, he ran for city council and locked in Lincoln city councilman seat From 1983 to 1990. During this time he also founded the north Lincoln County Museum in 1987 in an effort to preserve the history of the area. He organized many beach cleanup efforts, worked with parks and recreation to clear trails in and around the area and helped to build a community center in Taft, Oregon. While exiting a restaurant in October 2017, Ed missed a step fell and broke his hip. He had lived alone in his Lincoln city cottage, and now had to be transported to the valley and lived the rest of his days in a wheelchair. That did not slow Ed down, continued to give to so many in the form of storytelling, silly jokes, and made friends with many of his caretakers at Marquis care facility. In January 2023, the people of Lincoln city, along with family and lifelong friends, the Lincoln city parks department dedicated the Ed Johann Veterans Plaza for Ed’s contributions. And celebrated a life well lived in July 2023 during his 100th birthday. Ed will be forever missed in everyone’s life that he touched. Ed is every man’s man. A true American hero. I have fought in battles. I have seen men die. I feel no glory. Instead, I cry. ~Edward Johann Ed is survived by his Granddaughter, Rachel Howard; Great Grandson Benjamin Jennings and Great Grandson Jason Jennings. The family will not be holding a Memorial as we celebrated his life in person at his 100th Birthday Celebration. Edward’s ashes will be scattered at sea at Pearl Harbor, date TBD 2024. Memorial donations may be made to Lincoln City Parks & Recreation by going to this link: https://www.lincolncity.org/departments/parks-recreation/commemorate-or-donate