Thomas Johnson

Thomas B. Johnson of Trego, passed away surrounded by family and friends on Dec. 22, 2014.

Tom was born to Harold and Helen Johnson on Sept. 12, 1940, in Eureka. He spent his entire life in Trego on the home place, except for a short stay in Kent, Wash., where he went to welding school.

He married Lora Miller in 1967, becoming a father to Dianne, Barbara and Darrell. They then had a son, Craig, and daughter, Kimberly.

Tom worked for the forest service after high school and then went on to welding school. After completing his training, he worked for Vredenburg Development as a master welder.  He then became a janitor and a bus driver at Trego School, where he will be remembered by many children. He also worked for many years as a sawyer in the woods, until he was hit by a widow-maker in 1990.  After recovering, he continued to work with family and for himself as a skidder operator. Throughout his adult life he maintained the homestead ranch, raising cattle along with many other animals.  He and Lora purchased the ranch in 1972.

Tom was a 4-H leader and was superintendent of the Beef Barn at the Lincoln County Fair for many years.  He served on the Trego Civic Center board, the Lincoln County Soil Conservation board and the TFS Fire District board. He was elected to the board of InterBel Telephone Cooperative in the 1990s, serving as a dedicated board member for the Trego-Stryker area until his death

Tom was preceded in death by his mother and father; brothers, Gerald and Russell; and his daughter, Dianne. He is survived by his ex-wife and friend, Lora; his children, Barbara Seidl, Darrell Miller and his wife Brenda, Craig Johnson and his wife Jodi and Kim Pluid. His grandchildren are Jessica, Devon, Travis, Beau, BreeAnna, Preston, Falon, Tristan and four great-grandchildren, Derrik, Lily Auna, Harper, and Tucker.  He is survived by his sisters Loretta and her husband Bruce Todd, Sandra and her husband Jerry Beard; his brother Kermit and his wife Velma Johnson; his sister-in-law Sherry Johnson and many well-loved nieces and nephews.

Tom will be missed by all of his family and many friends.  His final resting place is on the land he loved so much, where his spirit will continue to reside and be remembered.  There was a celebration of Tom’s life on Dec. 27 at the Trego Civic Center.