Carol Johnson

Carol D. Johnson of Chinook, Washington passed away peacefully, surrounded by family, on March 1, 2012 at Columbia Memorial Hospital in Astoria, OR. She was 73 years old. Those who knew Carol fondly describe her as a kind person, a talented artist, an optimist, and a quick-witted punster. A native of Chinook, Carol was born October 11, 1938 to Lester and Eleda (Lindstrom) Johnson. She was the youngest of eight children. She attended Chinook Grade School, graduated from Ilwaco High School in 1956, and attended the Chinook Evangelical Lutheran Church. Carol graduated from Pacific Lutheran University in 1960 with a BA in Education, Fine Arts, Art, Social Studies and Professional Studies. After teaching at Central Elementary in Tacoma, WA for three years, she joined the DoDDS (Department of Defense Dependent Schools). She spent three years teaching in Okinawa, Japan, and Germany. After returning to Washington state she taught for two years at Grant Elementary in Tacoma, WA. Carol rejoined the DoDDS and taught for eight years in Germany and England, then took a short leave to earn her MA in Art from the University of Washington in 1976. She spent the remaining 19 years of her career as a full time art teacher at several locations in England. DoDDS was a rewarding career decision, allowing Carol to combine many passions. She was able to teach art, work with all ages of students, and fulfill her childhood ambition of seeing the world. Not only did she live and teach abroad, she enjoyed traveling and touring on breaks, holidays, and long weekends; always with a sketchbook and camera in hand, and most often in the company of her dear friends whom she treasured. She joked that it would be easier to list the places she had not visited than those she had. Carol retired to her beloved home town of Chinook in 1995. She was active in the Friends of Chinook School, the Columbia Pacific Heritage Museum, the Peninsula Arts Association, and Chinook Evangelical Lutheran Church. As an artist, Carol worked in various media. She studied oil and watercolor painting with George Roskos, Lars Kittleson, Bill Colby, Trevor Tanser, and John Campiche. She exhibited drawings and paintings in Germany, England, and the Pacific Northwest. Her latest body of work often utilized watercolor and focused on local and historic themes. Her works can be found in private collections in the U.S. and abroad. Carol is survived by brother Loren and sister-in-law Judy Johnson of Chinook, WA; brother Lloyd and sister-in-law Linda Johnson of Redmond, WA; sister-in-law, Mary Johnson of Seabeck, WA; sister-in-law, Shirlee Johnson of El Cajon, CA; and many nieces, nephews, grand-nieces, grand-nephews, cousins, and dear friends from across the US and around the world. A memorial service will be held at 2 o'clock on Saturday, March 31, 2012 at the Chinook Evangelical Lutheran Church with a reception following. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in her name to one of the following: Friends of Chinook School, Columbia Pacific Heritage Museum, Chinook Evangelical Lutheran Church, or American Overseas Schools Historical Society, in care of Penttila's Chapel by The Sea, PO Box 417, Long Beach, WA 98631. Her guestbook is available at www.penttilaschapel.com.