Charles Raymond Johnson

Charles Raymond “Ray” Johnson

September 23, 1924 – August 29, 2024

Sixes resident Charles Raymond Johnson, 99, died on August 29, 2024. Ray was born in Cottage Grove, Oregon on September 23rd 1924, to Nels Magnus Johnson and Mary K (Wiseman) Johnson. He grew up on his father’s wheat/sheep ranch in Morrow County Oregon. After his father’s death Ray lived and went to school in Heppner Oregon and then attended high school in Cottage Grove.

After Pearl Harbor was bombed in 1941, Ray and a group of high school friends enlisted in the Navy. He served on submarines as an electricians mate, first class. After the war, Ray attended Oregon State University earning a bachelor of science degree in electrical engineering and got a job as a distribution engineer for Bonneville Power.

While at OSU he met Charlotte Best, who was studying to be an RN. They were married on December 23rd, 1949.

Ray remained in the naval reserves and was called up during the Korean War. He served on a training submarine out of San Diego, California, being discharged on March 12th, 1952 and returned to Oregon.

In 1954, Ray and Charlotte moved to Manhattan Beach, California, where Ray worked as an engineer in the aerospace industry. Ray worked on a satellite tracking station in Australia from 1971 to 1977, returning home to Manhattan Beach. They lived there until 1978, when they moved to Sixes.

Ray was a long time member of the Sixes rural volunteer fire department. He was also a volunteer at the Port Orford Common Good and was very active in Port Orford’s Rotary Club, remaining a dues paying member until his death.

After Charlotte died in 1993, Ray was a member of the Langlois Community Church, then the First Community Church, and finally Zion Lutheran Church, where he felt especially at home because his Fathers family was Swedish and had Lutheran background.

Ray developed mobility problems, Kathy Davis was his physical therapist for years. He partially loved to waltz with her, as part of his therapy. Ray’s dementia progressed slowly and he became bedridden. His caregivers Tiffany Fanning, Melissa Stubblefield, Vilma McCutcheon, and Jessica Mills did a great job, helping take care of him. Ray would flirt with them and then tell them to go home. They were the high point of his day.

Ray was predeceased by his wife Charlotte, sister Neole Willey, niece Rebecca Warren and grand nephew Daniel Willey. Survived by 3 sons Craig Johnson, Kirk Johnson and Eric Johnson (Wife: Debbie and Debbie’s son John) niece Miriam Jones, children: Joel and Isaac Judd; nephew David Henninger Willey (wife: Tracy), children: Paul, Micaela, Elizabeth, Jeremy; niece Ruth Giyer (husband: Jeff) children: Monica, Austin, Hannah, Michael, David, Makayla, Sarah and Joshua.

There will be a Memorial service for Ray at Zion Lutheran church, 2015 Washington St. on Sunday, September 15th, 2024, at 1:30pm. Zion will hold Bible Study at 10am, regular morning Worship service at 11am, followed by a Pot Luck at 12pm, with the Memorial service following the pot luck at 1:30pm. Everyone is invited to attend all services or come as you desire.

In lieu of flowers for Ray, please donate to the Port Orford Common Good.

Cremation rites are under the direction of Nelson’s Bay Area Mortuary, 405 Elrod Ave., Coos Bay, Oregon.  He will be laid to rest with his wife Charlotte in the Denmark Cemetery.