Roger Lynn Johnson, 76, passed away Sept. 6, 2019, at his home in Chehalis with his family by his side. He was born Sept. 17, 1942, in Davenport, Iowa, to Wayne P. and Ruby Jean (Hickman) Johnson.
His family moved to Centralia in 1949. Roger was the fourth of six children. He attended school in Centralia, graduating in 1961, from Centralia High School. He moved to Mossyrock in 1961, to start his career as an auto mechanic, working with his dad and brother at the Mossyrock Garage. Roger and his brother-in-law, Terry bought the business in 1966. They sold it in 1969.
Roger worked in Morton for Reg Lester and Van Cleve Ford before coming to Chehalis to work at Uhlmann Ford in 1984, retiring in 2002. He had great respect for his bosses and believed in giving them an honest day’s work. He was always available to work with his children on their vehicles, houses or any projects they had. Roger loved to spend hours woodworking in his shop, and enjoyed fishing - especially with his great grandson Yael and other family members.
He met Elaine Studeman in the strawberry field the summer of 1955. Roger married her Sept. 29, 1962. They lived in Mossyrock where they raised their four children before moving to Chehalis in 1996. Roger was a good family man. He loved and supported his wife, children, 10 grandchildren, and 14 great-grandchildren.
Roger was preceded in death by his parents, Wayne and Ruby Johnson; sisters, Janet Rutledge and Linda Redding; brother, Melvin Johnson; and brother-in-law, Kenneth Studeman.
He is survived by his wife Elaine; children, Rick, Darin (Caryn), Scott and Barb; sisters, Sharen (Dave) Sabin and Karen (Bill) Nacht; grandchildren, Connie, Danielle (Daniel), Jeremiah, Taylor, Darianne, Christopher, Salina, Randy (Kelsey), Eric (Tate) and Chelsea (Timothy); great-grandchildren, Weston, Yael, Mateo, Dayani, Anya, Carson, Ryleigh, Jax, Cayson, Zane, Enzo, Macy, Kade and Atticus.
Roger’s memorial service will be held at 11 a.m., Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2019, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, with reception immediately following. A graveside service will be held at 2 p.m., at Sticklin Greenwood Memorial Park, Centralia.
