Obituary of Ralph Johnson

Ralph Lynden Johnson passed away peacefully on Christmas Day, December 25, 2011, at PeaceHealth SW Medical Center in Vancouver. He was bron in Portland, Oregon, on January 17, 1926, and was raised in Camas, Washington. Along with many of his classmates at Camas High, he elected to leave high school early to join the War effort, serving in the Merchant Marines during the War, and in the United States Army Air Corps from 1946 through 1949. His military duties took him to many exotic ports around the world, but he missed home and decided to return to the Camas area and the civilian life. Ralph was employed with Crown Zellerbach, retiring in 1986 after 30 years of shift work in the Steam Plant. His many hobbies included salmon fishing, clam digging, crossword puzzles, and boating (he taught all his kids how to water-ski on the Columbia River). He built a home for his family in the Lacamas Lake area in the 50's but spent the last twenty years of his life residing in Washougal. Ralph was a regular at Smitty's, Heller's, and Neder's Café and was very fond of the wait staff at all of these eating establishments. Survivors include sons Gerald R. Johnson of Washougal, L. Scott Johnson of Washougal, Stephen P. Johnson of Vancouver; daughter Laura L. Ensign and son-in-law Mike Ensign of Kirkland, Washington; granddaughter Kaitlyn Glem-Johnson of Vancouver, and brother James T. Johnson of Vancouver. He was preceded in death by his sisters Irene Phegley and Phyllis Johnson, and by his brother Delmar Johnson. He will be greatly missed by his extended family and friends. The family would like to thank the ICU staff at PeaceHealth SW Medical Center for the excellent care they provided to Ralph in his final days. Per Ralph's request, there will be no service. Private interment with full military honors will be held at the Evergreen Memorial Gardens Cemetery in Vancouver, Washington. Brown's Funeral Home and Cremation Services in Camas, Washington has been entrusted with arrangements.