Victor L. Johnson

Vic Johnson, a resident of Camp Sherman since 1976, passed away at home in Sisters August 4, surrounded by his family. At 83, he was one of the last two surviving "Grumpy Old Men" of the Camp Sherman Store.

Vic was born in Portland, Oregon, and always took great pride in being a "born-and-raised" Oregonian. He grew up with three older sisters in the small mountain town of Three Lynx, Oregon, where his father, Victor Sr., was employed as an engineer for Portland General Electric.

After attending Grant High School in Portland, Vic joined the U. S. Marine Corps in1943. During World War II he served in the Battle of Saipan and the Battle of Okinawa, where he received the Purple Heart before being discharged in 1946.

Vic came home after the war and immediately married the love of his life, Phyllis. They celebrated their 63rd wedding anniversary March 28.

He worked in the timber industry all his life, first as a timber faller, then 20-plus years as a timber cruiser for the Portland-based company of Mason, Bruce and Girard. His love of the woods continued to be evident in retirement, as cutting countless cords of firewood for friends and family was his idea of having fun.

He leaves behind his wife, Phyllis; son and daughter-in-law, Mike and Kathy Johnson of Eagle Crest; son and daughter-in-law, Steve and Marti Johnson of Casablanca, Morocco; daughter and son-in-law, Connie and Doug Holly of Sisters; six loving grandchildren; eleven great-grandchildren; and sisters Ruth Bullard and Doris Mingle, both of Portland. He was preceded in death by his father and his sister, Elinor Kanne.

A special friend of the family wrote the following: "He was a man of quality - his love for his family, his love for nature, his love for his community...his deep laugh and his quick humor. He always made me and all of our family feel so welcome in his home, he always had a warm hug and a smile and a good story to share. We will all miss him." Indeed, we will.

A celebration of life will take place in Camp Sherman at a future date, which is yet to be determined.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to: Camp Sherman Community Association, P.O. Box 142, Camp Sherman, OR 97730 or to Hospice, 2075 N.E. Wyatt Court, Bend, OR 97701.