Bert E. Johnson

Bert E. Johnson
May 4, 1928 - January 27, 2011

Bertil Emmanuel "Bert" Johnson, 82, of Lacey, died Thursday afternoon, January 27, 2011 at Evergreen Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Olympia.
Born May 4, 1928 to Frederick and Hilda Margaret (Logfren) Johnson in Tacoma, Bert was raised and schooled there, attending both Lincoln and Bellermine High Schools. Bert joined the war effort at an early age and served with the U.S. Merchant Marines and later for the U.S. Navy.
While on leave he met Doris Nell King and they later married in Tacoma on January 12, 1948.
Bert was one of the founding shareholders at Lacey Co-Op Plywood and later served as President of the company. He then worked as a quality control inspector for American Plywood Association in Alabama and then Oregon in both La Grande and Medford, and finally as a field trainer in Tacoma before reitiring in 1989.
Bert was also a volunteer fire fighter for the Lacey Fire Department in the late 50's through the mid 60's, eventually becoming Captain.
He loved to build - everything from small fishing boats and picnic tables to toys and bird houses. Bert loved wood and could make anything and enjoyed filling special requests from neighbors, friends, and family. Later in life he enjoyed watching his birds, fishing, and reading. An avid backgammon player, Bert could switch from being ornery to laughing so hard he would lose his breath in an instant.
Bert is survived by his wife of 63 years, Doris Johnson of Lacey; son Larry (Lora) Johnson of Olympia; son Robert (Pam) Johnson of Lacey; four grandchildren, including Teresa "Tish" (Randy) Carr of Olympia, Leanne (Donald) Willcuts of Tumwater, Rebecca (Art) Shannon of Saltillo, Mississippi, and Matthew (Rory) Johnson of Lacey; five great-grandchildren, and by his sisters Sonja and Martha.
A memorial celebration of life will be held at 11am on Tuesday, February 1, 2011 at Woodlawn Funeral Home, Lacey.