Gordon Marion Johnson

Gordon Marion Johnson, 79, of La Grande, died April 3 at his home. A memorial service will begin at

2 p.m. Saturday at Loveland Funeral Chapel. A potluck at the senior center will follow the service.

Gordon was born Nov. 3, 1929, at Farnam, Neb. He was a farm boy and lived in Nebraska until 1958 when he moved to Greeley, Colo., where he operated a service station and then went to work in a large meat packing company. You can take a boy off the farm, but not the farm out of the boy, so in 1972 he moved with his family to La Grande and farmed until he retired.

Gordon was a quiet person who loved to travel and visit his daughters and parents. Two highlight trips were three months in Alaska and a trip to the East Coast. In 2006 he suffered a stroke and had declining health since that time.

Survivors include his wife, Elen; five children, Lorinda and her husband, Don Blakely, of La Grande, Dana and her husband, Sid Snow, of Litchfield, Neb., Lyle Johnson of La Grande, Dale and his wife, Robin Johnson, of La Grande and Jenell and her husband, Mike Howland, of Cottage Grove; 14 grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; brother, Raymond Johnson of Wallowa; and numerous other relatives. Gordon was preceded in death by his parents and a sister.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Union County Senior Center.

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