Obituary of Chalmer Johnson

A Private Internment will be held for Chalmer Johnson, 90, of Gridley, CA. He died Friday, October 3, 2008 at his home in the company of family. He was born Dec. 10, 1917 in Weiser, Idaho to Howard and Olga Johnson. Chalmer attended LaVerne College in Southern California in the late 30's to become a teacher. He married his late wife, Evelyn Johnson in November 1946. He taught school a short time in Tierra Buena before moving, in 1950, to a farm in Gridley where He and Evelyn settled and raised their ten children on a prune farm. He was always community and outreach minded. At various times he involved his family in Heifer Project International, peace activism, hosting foreign exchange students as well as traveling "hippies", pottery workshops and generally provided a rich environment in which to grow. Most recently he was the official "Grandpa" of Cherokee House, a rehabilitation house in Cherokee. He and Evelyn touched the lives of many people along the way. He was an active member of the Live Oak Church of the Brethern. He is survived by his six sons, Mario Johnson of Live Oak, CA, Kurt Johnson of Durham, CA, Greg Johnson, Reed Johnson, Brad Johnson and Monte Johnson all of Gridley, CA; four daughters, Kaye Gorton of Moscow ID, Corine Johnson of Paradise, CA, Lynn Mendoza of San Diego, CA and Lora Sharp of Durham, CA. He is also survived by 25 grandchildren; 17 great- grandchildren; four sisters; Marie Capen, Wanda Miller, Alma McMurray and Arlene Harms and numerous nieces and nephews. A Memorial service will be held November 23, 2008 at the Live Oak Church of the Brethren, 1990 Archer Ave., at 2:00 pm. The family has requested no flowers. Donations are suggested to the Live Oak Child Care and Live Oak Church of the Brethern.