Durward Johnson

1919 - 2010

DURWARD (JOHNNY) JOHNSON 91, Of Corona, California, died September 24, 2010 in Corona, CA. He was born February 19, 1919 in North Carolina, son of Ed Johnson and Rosa Johnson. Johnny grew up and lived in North Carolina until he joined the Navy in 1940. He was on the Battleship US West Virginia the day of the attack on Pearl Harbor, which he survived by jumping off the ship and swimming to Ford Island, where an officer pointed out he was out of uniform! He was on shore leave in 1942 in Los Angeles when he met the love of his life, Anita. They later married and spent 64 wonderful years together. Johnny was honorably discharged from the Navy in 1946 and settled down in Gardena, CA. He became a carpenter and devoted 32 years of his life to his career. While living in Gardena they raised tow of their three children, Debbie and Gary, in homes he built himself! Anita and Johnny spent many fun weekends with their neighbors going square dancing, singing around a piano and camping. In 1964 the family moved to Yorba Linda and had another child, Ed. In Orange County they met and joined the Orange Squirrels, a camping club he dearly loved and remained friends with until he passed. He spent his retirement years watching his grandchildren grow, Jason, Taylor, Kayla, Jennifer, Ian and his unofficial grandson, Ricky John. He beloved wife, Anita, of 64 years, preceded him in death last year. Surviving are his sons, Gary and Ed and his daughter, Debbie and all of his grandchildren. Arrangements Entrusted To: FD66-(951) 737-3244 To sign the online guest book, go to www.ThomasMillerMortuary.com.