Wendell James ‘Whitey’ Johnson, Sr., 89, Vancouver, WA resident and WWII Navy Veteran, died Tuesday Morning, October 18, 2016 at Southwest Medical Center in Vancouver, WA.
Wendell was born on August 8, 1927 in Hankinson, North Dakota to Martin Alfred and Hannah Marie (Olson) Johnson. They moved to Menlo Park, CA when Whitey was 7. When the War broke out, Whitey, then age 15, lied about his age and joined the Navy. He served boot camp at Farragut Naval Station in Idaho and then shipped out aboard the “Tin can” USS Stephen Potter in the Pacific Theater. He was Honorably Discharged in 1946. He returned to Menlo Park, graduating from Sequoia Union High School in 1947 and then graduated from San Mateo Junior College with an Associate of Arts degree. He then joined the US Army and became a Paratrooper with the 11th Airborne. He was Honorably Discharged and joined the Merchant Marines, helping ship material to the Korean Conflict.
He returned to Menlo Park where he Married Carolyn Joanne Flint on September 9, 1951 at the Menlo Park Presbyterian Church. She resides at the family home.
Whitey worked for Peninsula Building Materials in the Bay Area from 1951 until his health made him retire early in 1974. He lived in the Bay Area until 2002, when he moved to Vancouver, WA to be near his daughters.
Whitey loved traveling and that included around the United States and Europe. He loved his morning coffee and talking with people. He enjoyed restoring old homes when he was younger. His heart was with his family and being with them. He was a lifetime member of the Veterans of Underage Military Service; the Stephen Potter Association; First Orthodox Presbyterian Church, Portland, OR; and a Gold Circle Member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars.
Wendell is survived by his wife of 65 years, Carolyn, Vancouver, WA; a son, Wendell James ‘Jimmy’ (Judy) Johnson, Atwater, CA; two daughters: Carla Joanne (Danny) Dooley, Woodland, WA and Deborah Lyn (Gregg Sr.) Watkins, Kennewick, WA; a brother, Wilton Harold ‘Red’ (Clara) Johnson, Palo Alto, CA; 10 grandchildren, 26 great grandchildren and 1 great great grandson. He was preceded in death by a brother Nels Walfred Johnson.
There will be a time of visitation and viewing from 1 to 7 PM on Friday, October 21st at Hamilton-Mylan Funeral Home, Vancouver, WA. A graveside service with Military Honors will take place at 11 AM on Monday, October 24th at Alta Mesa Memorial Park, Palo Alto, CA.
A celebration of Whitey’s life will be held at 11AM on Saturday, November 12th at First Orthodox Presbyterian Church, Portland, OR.
A message of condolence or of a memory can be sent to the family at www.fernhillfuneral.com
Arrangements are entrusted to Twibell’s Fern Hill Funeral Home in Aberdeen, WA.

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