David “Dave” Allen Johnson died Saturday, September 5, 2009, in Salem, Oregon at the age of 62. He was born in Brookings, SD to Glenn and Bernice Johnson.

 

Preceding him in death was his father Glenn (Lefty) Johnson, and stepson Darren Scott McKinzie. He is survived by his wife Loretta, his mother Bernice Watson, his brothers Gene (wife Jeanne) and James (wife Beverly), step-son Brian McKinzie, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and his loving cat “Stinky.”

 

After serving his country in the US Air Force, Dave returned to Salem where he was a senior system analyst for the State of Oregon DHS Information Services.

 

Dave shared his joy of computers with family and friends and was always ready to help. Dave’s love of the outdoors led him on a bicycling trip down the Oregon coast and over the Cascades Mountains and many of Oregon’s back roads and highways. Hiking, fly fishing (the Metolious fish will be resting while Dave is finishing another river), cross-country skiing and camping were just a few of Dave’s many activities. Love of the open road always beckoned Dave to a new adventure.

 

The entire Johnson family would like to express their deepest appreciation and gratitude to the wonderful doctors, nurses, and staff at the Salem Hospital.

 

A celebration of life was held at 11:00 am, Thursday, September 10, 2009 at Virgil T. Golden Funeral Service in Salem.  In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the Arthritis Foundation or the Willamette Valley Humane Society.