Byron Allen Johnson

1926 - 2015

Byron Allen Johnson, 88, FALMOUTH - Byron Allen Johnson died peacefully at Sedgewood Commons in Falmouth, on July 9, 2015, surrounded by his loving family. He was born in Duluth, Minn., on Aug. 21, 1926, to Stuart and Lucy (Wright) Johnson. He graduated from Denfeld High School in 1944 and promptly enlisted in the Navy to serve at the end of World War II.
He married Shirley (Johnson) Johnson in 1947.
After graduating from the University of Minnesota-Duluth with a major in finance (thanks to the GI bill), he began a 30 year career with Diamond International, taking Byron and his family from Minnesota, to Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Maine. After leaving Diamond International, he became the general manager for Hardwood Products in Guilford, for 15 years. In each community, Byron was very active in his church, civic organizations and volunteer work. He and Shirley enjoyed a well earned retirement of traveling, visiting friends and family, public service work, and most important to them, time with their daughters and grandchildren.
Byron was an avid golfer, fisherman, reader, political junkie, soapbox orator and landscaper of each piece of property he owned over the years. He faithfully and cheerfully accomplished all tasks listed on his endless "honey-do" lists. He loved time spent puttering in, and fixing, his daughters' homes, going to camp on North Pond with family, attending any function involving his grandchildren, and also was a great supporter of their theatrical and sports endeavors. He was a loyal and devoted husband and was an extraordinary caregiver for Shirley for the last two years of her life.
He was predeceased by his parents; Shirley, his wife of 53 years; his brother Stuart and wife Margaret; and his brother-in-law Gus Turbeville. He is survived by his family who loved him dearly: daughters Barbara Merritt, Laurie Malcolm and husband Cliff, Nancy Fannon and husband Teg Glendon; grandchildren Tim Merritt and wife Katie, Betsy Merritt, Jennifer Malcolm-Brown and husband Jamie, Joan Malcolm, John Malcolm, Jeff Fannon and wife Sarah and Mike Fannon; great-grandchildren Sam and Will Malcolm-Brown and Owen Merritt; sister-in-law, Joanne Turbeville; several nieces and nephews.
Byron's family will be forever thankful for the care of all the staff at Sedgewood Commons. He was a valued member of their community and he was treated by all with the respect, kindness, gentleness and concern that he so richly deserved.
A memorial service is scheduled for Saturday, Aug. 15, 2015, at 9:30 a.m. at First Lutheran Church, 132 Auburn St., Portland. Burial will take place later in his home town of Duluth, Minn. Arrangements are under the care of Direct Cremation of Maine, 182 Waldo Avenue, Belfast. Memories and condolences can be shared with the family at www.directcremationofmaine.com

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to
Camp Calument Lutheran
P. O. Box 236
W. Ossippee, N.H. 03890
or The Alzheimer's Association
of Maine
3383 US Route One, Suite 2C
Scarborough, Maine 04074