Rodney Clarence Johnson departed this world to be with his heavenly Father on Tuesday, May 23, 2006.
In his final days, he was surrounded by a loving family that will miss him greatly. He is survived by his wife, Deborah Johnson; aunt, Jean Miller; sister, Veryl Stephens; children, Jason and Erin Johnson, Katie Johnson, Ever Simmons, Caine Simmons; grandchildren, Mariah Smith, Annaliese Johnson, Fiona Johnson and many others.
Rodney was born in Chicago, Ill. to Audrey and Clarence Johnson. In 1951, the Johnson family moved to Anderson, Calif., where Rodney spent all of his adolescence. He graduated from Anderson Union High School in 1966. After graduation, Rodney joined the U.S. Army. He spent three years in the Army during which he served two tours in Vietnam. Rodney was honorably discharged from active duty in August 1969. After serving his country Rodney returned home to California. Shortly after returning, he began college at Chico State. After a few semesters of college Rodney traded in his textbooks for a chainsaw and began a career as a logger.
In 1977, Rodney moved to Aberdeen, Wash. In March 1978, his son, Jason Johnson, was born in Olympia, Wash. Shortly after the birth of his son, Rodney and his family moved back to California. In July 1979, his daughter, Katie Johnson, was born in Redding. In 1980, Rodney and his family moved to Lake County where he made his home and raised his children. In 1987, Rodney left the woods and returned to the classroom at Sacramento State where he earned his associates of arts in Drug and Alcohol Counseling.
Rodney served the communities of Lake, Mendocino, Sonoma, and Sacramento counties for 19 years, fulfilling his calling by helping others walk the path of recovery. In 1997, Rodney married his soul mate, Deborah Johnson. In 2005, Rodney retired from AODP in Mendocino County.
Above all else, family was held most dear to Rod. He loved nature and held a passion for reading. He held fond memories of his time in the forests of the northern states. Rodney enjoyed camping and whitewater rafting with his family. He enjoyed many happy hours in his shop working on fun projects.
A memorial service for Rodney will be held at 1 p.m. Sunday, May 28 at the Lower Lake Methodist Church, 16255 2nd Street, Lower Lake.
The service will be followed by a Celebration of Life at the Johnson residence, 7297 Marin St. in Nice.
Arrangements by Jones Mortuary, 263-5389.
Please sign the guestbook at www.record-bee.com, click on obituaries.
(Published in the Lake County Record-Bee on Friday, May 26, 2006.)
