Reid Scott Johnson

Reid Scott Johnson, 88, of Wallowa County, died Jan. 6 at Wallowa Memorial Hospital in Enterprise. Private graveside services were held Jan. 9 at Bramlet Cemetery in Wallowa.

A celebration of life is being planned and will be held on family rangeland during the summer.

Reid was born July 12, 1921, the youngest of 10 children to Ernest Franklin and Myrtle Sara (Powell) Johnson in Wallowa. Reid was the grandson of early pioneers to Oregon and Wallowa Valley.

Reid attended grade school at School District No. 1 in Lower Valley. He graduated from Wallowa High School after taking his academic tests early in April 1939. He worked in lambing and other family ranch work. He started breaking horses for extra money that summer and soon learned to shear sheep to increase his earning potential. With his savings he bought his first 10 head of purebred Hereford heifers.

He enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corps Jan. 7, 1942. He was called into duty on Oct. 17 of that same year, beginning his military career as a gas tanker driver, then an aviation mechanic and soon became a pilot instructor, teaching pilots to fly B25s, the B17 Flying Fortress and ending World War II training in B29 Super Fortress bombers as an Air Force captain. Reid was honorably discharged and returned home in October 1945. He continued raising purebred Hereford cattle.

On Oct. 2, 1959, he married Marilyn Litch (Estes) and adopted son John and daughter Maryanne. In 1961 daughter Saralyn was born. He ranched with his brothers, Howard and Ivan Johnson, and eventually retired from cattle ranching in the late 1990s. He and Marilyn continued to operate their timber business while maintaining their home at the ranch in Wallowa.

Reid enjoyed hunting and spending time with family, along with watching Oregon State University sports. He was a true Beaver Believer and attended both football and basketball games when possible over the years.

He was active as a leader in many civic and professional organizations including,the Masonic Lodge (60-year member), the Shriners and Scottish Rite, Elks Lodge (Life Member), American Legion, Enterprise Community Congregational Church, Wallowa County Stockgrowers, Oregon Cattlemen's Association, the Oregon Beef Council (two terms as chairman) and the Wallowa County Health Care Foundation (charter member with 28 years of service).

Reid is survived by his wife, Marilyn L. Johnson; son, John E. Johnson of Wallowa; daughters, Maryanne Pullam of Corvallis and Saralyn S. Johnson of Wallowa; three granddaughters; two grandsons; two great-grandchildren; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

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