Marlin LaVerne Johnson

Marlin L. Johnson passed away peacefully at home on February 27, 2019. Marlin had fought a long 4-year battle with dementia. He remained within his Montague home under the full-time care of his beloved wife, Darlene. Marlin was born March 22, 1936 in New Deal, Montana to Ernest and Helen Johnson. He was one of three boys, brother to Dale and Art. Marlin’s mother, Helen divorced Ernest and remarried Walt Joiner who was a loving, fun, and adventurous stepfather to Marlin and his brother’s. The relationship between Marlin and Walt was a relationship Marlin admired his entire life, something he truly treasured. Marlin left his parents’ home at the early age of 13 and made his own way from Montana to California. Marlin worked numerous jobs in route to California, lying about his age the entire time! He worked in the oil fields, on a ranch, for Fish and Game, and did anything he could to support himself along the way. He met Darlene Opdyke at a young age, but when his parents divorced, he lived in with the Opdyke family in Burney. It wasn’t until then that the relationship between he and Darlene began to blossom. The two young love birds officially become a couple at the ages of 14 and 17. A courtship that was kept from her parents for a number of years! When Marlin was 18-years-old he enlisted with the United States Army Corps for a 4-year term stationed in Alaska (before Alaska was a state). After his discharge, he returned to Burney and the couple married on April 6, 1957. They were married for 61 years. Marlin and Darlene had two children. Goldie Marie was born in Burney just after their one-year anniversary. In 1959, the Johnson’s moved to Montague where they welcomed Bradley Loran into their lives. Marlin worked for Pen Mesner at the Shell plant in Montague, a career lasting 13 years. He then took a job driving log truck and lumber truck for Sierra Pacific and South West Forrest. During this time, Marlin was on the school board and had made a goal to obtain his high school diploma. He went back to school from home where he completed his high school requirements. He was so proud to complete this task at the same time as his daughter Goldie, who was to graduate from 8th grade. He proudly presented her with her 8th grade diploma as the Montague School Board President. He was very active within the community. At that time, Montague was a happening place! He was instrumental in the construction of the Montague rodeo grounds, baseball field, and swimming pool. Much of his time was spent in countless hours making Montague a better community for all. He enjoyed and participated as the spot light operator in the Montague Variety Shows, a talent show held once a year and put on by community participants with skits and comedy acts that brought tears to audience eyes and sore belly muscles from hours of laughter! Aside from the community development and the Montague School Board Marlin was on the Montague Fire Dept. and loved being a baseball coach. After Marlin retired around 1999, he and Darlene and a group of their close friends enjoyed traveling. They set out to various locations with no expectations or agenda. They made it to many different states, but thoroughly enjoyed the trips to the coast and Arizona. Another volunteer job within his retirement was driving local Veterans to doctor apts. Being a veteran himself, he continued to find ways to serve his country and fellow Veterans! Marlin was preceded in death by his parents, Ernest and Helen; his stepfather, Walt; his father-in-law, Ralph Opdyke; his sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Eloise and Don Miller; his two brothers, Dale and Art; his granddaughter Katie Marie Pierce and his life-long friends, Babe and Kerm Wheeler. He is survived by his wife, Darlene; his daughter and son-in-law, Goldie and Vernon Pierce; his son and daughter-in-law, Brad and Gina Johnson; his mother-in-law, Goldie Opdyke; his 3 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren. A memorial celebration will be held April 27, 2019 at 11:00 AM at the Montague Methodist Church with a potluck luncheon to follow. Marlin was a good dad who loved his grandkids and was truly “one of a kind,” He will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him.

Marlin LaVerne Johnson

March 22, 1936 - February 27, 2019