Lawrence D. "Larry" Johnson
Lawrence D. "Larry" Johnson, 90, a resident of the Forest Grove community, died Friday afternoon, February 21, 2020, at Jennings McCall in Forest Grove. LAWRENCE DARNELL JOHNSON was born June 24, 1929 in San Francisco, California, the son of the late Sidney Johnson and Lela (Broughton) Johnson. He was raised and received his education in San Francisco, having been a graduate of the Mission High School Class of 1947. Upon his high school graduation, he attended San Francisco City College, having majored in history and art. He was a Veteran of the Korean War, having joined the United States Marine Corps on August 1, 1950 in San Francisco, California. Larry served in the 1st Marines, 3rd Battalion, Howe Company, until receiving his honorable discharge on February 1, 1952 in San Francisco, California, at the rank of corporal. His citations included the Bronze Star Medal and three Purple Hearts. Larry was a machine-gunner for the Marines and had many hair-raising tales from the war. Returning from the war, he drove radio car in San Francisco for Brigadier General Fred S. Robillard and other officers. One interesting event was his delivering of a baby on the Bay Bridge while in-route to the hospital. Larry was united in marriage to Clara Todd on August 4, 1951 in San Francisco, California. They celebrated their 68th Wedding Anniversary this past August. Following their marriage, they made their home in the San Francisco Bay Area, and Klamath Falls, Oregon, until 2002, when they moved to the Forest Grove community. He had worked as a Lithographer in the Printing industry in San Francisco for many years, until he retired at the age of sixty-four years old. Larry was a member of the Bay Area Amalgamated Lithographers Local #17, having served as an elected representative, as well as a member of the San Francisco Lithographers Club. He was also a member of the Portland Chapter of The Chosin Few (Korean War Veterans who survived The Battle of the Chosin Reservoir). Among his special interests, he loved the outdoors, especially hunting, fishing and camping. Larry also enjoyed boating and loved to go out on woodcutting trips. Survivors include his wife, Clara Johnson, of Forest Grove, Oregon; his son, Dave Johnson, of Gaston, Oregon; his daughter, Cyndi Johnson, of Forest Grove, Oregon, and his sister-in-law, Roberta Cleveland, of Forest Grove, Oregon. Also surviving are his two grandchildren, Clara D. Johnson, of Hillsboro, Oregon and Curtis Zapar and his wife, Roxanne, of Portland, Oregon and his great-grand-daughter, Leona Zapar. The family suggests that remembrances be made to The Chosin Few Korean War Veterans Fund, 4120 Industrial Lane, Beavercreek, Ohio, 45430, in his memory. Arrangements are pending through Fuiten, Rose & Hoyt Funeral Home in Forest Grove.Obituary
Lawrence D. "Larry" Johnson, 90, a resident of the Forest Grove community, died Friday afternoon, February 21, 2020, at Jennings McCall in Forest Grove. LAWRENCE DARNELL JOHNSON was born June 24, 1929 in San Francisco, California, the son of the late Sidney Johnson and Lela (Broughton) Johnson. He was raised and received his education in San Francisco, having been a graduate of the Mission High School Class of 1947. Upon his high school graduation, he attended San Francisco City College, having majored in history and art. He was a Veteran of the Korean War, having joined the United States Marine Corps on August 1, 1950 in San Francisco, California. Larry served in the 1st Marines, 3rd Battalion, Howe Company, until receiving his honorable discharge on February 1, 1952 in San Francisco, California, at the rank of corporal. His citations included the Bronze Star Medal and three Purple Hearts. Larry was a machine-gunner for the Marines and had many hair-raising tales from the war. Returning from the war, he drove radio car in San Francisco for Brigadier General Fred S. Robillard and other officers. One interesting event was his delivering of a baby on the Bay Bridge while in-route to the hospital. Larry was united in marriage to Clara Todd on August 4, 1951 in San Francisco, California. They celebrated their 68th Wedding Anniversary this past August. Following their marriage, they made their home in the San Francisco Bay Area, and Klamath Falls, Oregon, until 2002, when they moved to the Forest Grove community. He had worked as a Lithographer in the Printing industry in San Francisco for many years, until he retired at the age of sixty-four years old. Larry was a member of the Bay Area Amalgamated Lithographers Local #17, having served as an elected representative, as well as a member of the San Francisco Lithographers Club. He was also a member of the Portland Chapter of The Chosin Few (Korean War Veterans who survived The Battle of the Chosin Reservoir). Among his special interests, he loved the outdoors, especially hunting, fishing and camping. Larry also enjoyed boating and loved to go out on woodcutting trips. Survivors include his wife, Clara Johnson, of Forest Grove, Oregon; his son, Dave Johnson, of Gaston, Oregon; his daughter, Cyndi Johnson, of Forest Grove, Oregon, and his sister-in-law, Roberta Cleveland, of Forest Grove, Oregon. Also surviving are his two grandchildren, Clara D. Johnson, of Hillsboro, Oregon and Curtis Zapar and his wife, Roxanne, of Portland, Oregon and his great-grand-daughter, Leona Zapar. The family suggests that remembrances be made to The Chosin Few Korean War Veterans Fund, 4120 Industrial Lane, Beavercreek, Ohio, 45430, in his memory. Arrangements are pending through Fuiten, Rose & Hoyt Funeral Home in Forest Grove.