Obituary of Larry Johnson

Jan. 24, 1946 - Dec. 21, 2008

With deepest sadness, but also with heartfelt joy, the family of Larry Duane Johnson wishes to announce that in the early morning of Dec. 21st, Larry moved from his temporary home in Cranbrook to his eternal home in Heaven.

Larry was born and raised in Kimberley, B.C., and moved to Alberta in 1965 to complete his Bachelor of Commerce degree at the University of Calgary. In 1971 he married wife Judy, they returned to the Kootenays in 1976 and settled in Cranbrook, where they started their family.

Larry was a natural athlete who excelled at sports, particularly basketball and downhill skiing. As a young man, Larry was diagnosed with arthritis, a disease which would cause him years of discomfort and would eventually leave him with physical limitations. Those close to him know he faced his day-to-day challenges without complaint, and with unyielding determination to enjoy life. Family and friends lucky enough to have spent a morning on the golf course with Larry know that despite his limited range-of-motion, he rarely missed a fairway, and had developed a short game to be envied. Larry was also an avid and knowledgeable hockey fan who loved watching the Canadiens beat the Leafs. He held season tickets for the Kootenay Ice, and rarely missed a game until his latest battle with cancer made it impossible for him to attend.

One of Larry's favorite ways to spend time was watching son, Erik, and son-in-law Ron play sports. Larry was a constant supporter at both Erik and Ron's senior and commercial hockey games, and he never missed an opportunity to get out and "teach them a thing-or-two" at one of his favourite local golf courses.

The women in Larry's life were also very important to him. Wife Judy was his constant companion and confidante; his love for her was profound. Their marriage was a wonderful example of opposites attracting and forming an unbreakable bond. Larry was proud of his daughter, Karla, when she followed in his footsteps and attained a Finance Degree, but was perhaps more impressed with her achievement in delivering grandson Everitt in 2007. Larry had a special fondness for daughter-in-law Kirsten, and admired her gentle guidance of grandsons Shayden, Jonace and Brantley.

Larry's incredible courage and resilience can be attributed to his mother, Ingrid, who set an amazing example for all her children after the tragic death of Larry's father in a Kimberley mining accident in 1962. Larry's brilliance was sometimes easy to overlook, as it was often hidden beneath his quiet exterior. His heart was made of pure gold, and beat fiercely for his family, particularly for Judy, his soul-mate, and his four grandboys, who brought him immeasurable happiness.

Larry's family and friends will always remember him for his bravery, generosity and his unwavering desire to put his loved ones before himself.Larry was the 2nd of 9 children born to Harold (Red) and Ingrid Johnson of Kimberley, BC. He is survived by Judy, his best friend, and loving wife of 37 years; his daughter, Karla (Ron Graff) and grandson, Everitt, his son Erik (Kirsten) and hat trick, Shayden, Jonace and Brantley, all of Cranbrook; his mother, Ingrid, of Kimberley, his mother-in-law, Ellen Ironside of Hanna, AB; his sisters Karin (Derrel Weir) of Meadowbrook; Loree (Les Coulombe) of Salmo; Elin Marie (Tony Minchenko) of Vernon; Julie Ann (Bruce Rota) of Kimberley; brothers David (Carol) of Blind Bay; Jack Johnson and Gordon Johnson of Kimberley; brothers-in-law Douglas (Dianne) Taylor and Delbert (Kaye) Taylor of Castor, AB and Jim (Penny) Taylor of Vernon; his Aunt Corinne Erikson of Vancouver, plus numerous nieces and nephews, including Robbie Johnson of Vernon, whom he looked on as a son.

He was predeceased by his father, Harold Johnson and his brother and sister-in-law, Ken and Angelina Johnson.

Those special to Larry include best friends Ralph & Sherry Loberg and Bruce MacNeill of Cranbrook; Ed & Marian Hildebrand of Olds, AB, and business associates Colin & Jane Campbell of Cranbrook. The family would like to express their most heartfelt gratitude to Dr. Ernie Wigmore for the many years he has spent caring for Larry.There will be no funeral service for Larry at his request.

The family plans to organize an annual Charity Golf Tournament to benefit children's sports organizations in Cranbrook and Kimberley.

Friends who wish to make a donation in Larry's memory may choose to do so at that time, or they can make a donation to the Salvation Army or Samaritan's Purse.

Arrangements entrusted to McPherson Funeral Service.Condolences for the family can be offered at:www.mcphersonfh.com