Harvey Johnson, Sr.

Harvey M. Johnson Sr., 86, a lifelong resident of Naselle, Washington, died May 7, 2009 in Astoria, Oregon. Born February 24, 1923 in Naselle, he was one of five children born to Frank and Olga (Ojala) Johnson, both of Finnish ancestry. Harvey grew up in Naselle and graduated from Naselle High School in 1941. He played varsity football for the Comets. Following high school Harvey began driving log trucks for Martin Wirkkala Logging until June of 1944 when he was drafted into the US Army. The Army put him to work driving 6 ton semis in the European Theatre until honorably discharged in April of 1946. While stationed at Fort Knox, Kentucky at the end of his Army hitch Harvey met Dorothy Gruner and they were married April 11, 1946 in Louisville, Kentucky. Harvey told Dorothy his job in Naselle was waiting for him so the couple settled in Naselle. There Harvey continued driving log trucks for Wirkkala and Johnson, Salmon Creek Logging and later Weyerhaeuser Timber until retirement. Harvey was a lifelong member of the Naselle Assembly of God. There he taught Sunday school for many years and in doing so touched the lives of many along with serving as a deacon for over 40 years. Family and faith were paramount in Harvey's life and he was committed to both. He enjoyed vegetable gardening, salmon fishing and morning coffee with is buddies at Johnson's One-Stop in Naselle. In years past he had restored a Nash Metropolitan car to near mint condition. Harvey was blessed with a wonderful sense of humor, always had a twinkle in his eye and he enjoyed many friendships. He and Dorothy recently celebrated their 63rd wedding anniversary. She survives, residing in Naselle. Also surviving are son and daughter-in-law Harvey Jr. and Jeannine of Naselle; daughter and son-in-law Jeanette Johnson and Bill Grimberg of Naselle; grandchildren Luke and wife Madison Johnson, Lindsay Littau and David Grimberg; and great-grandchildren Tye, Tatum and Kennedy. He was preceded in death by an infant brother Harvey, a sister Eva Peters, and brothers Oiva and Reino. Memorial service will be held Saturday, June 6, 2009, 11:00 AM at the Naselle Assembly of God church with a luncheon reception following. The family requests memorials to the Naselle Assembly of God multi-purpose facility fund, PO Box 26, Naselle, Washington 98638 or Harbors Home Health and Hospice, 210 7th Street, Hoquiam, WA 98550. The guestbook is available at www.penttilaschapel.com.