Sept. 15, 1930 - Dec. 29, 2007

Melvin Maurice Johnson died at home Dec. 29, 2007, after a long and hard-fought battle with cancer. He was born Sept. 15, 1930 in Jacksonville, Oregon, the son of William Johnson and Mattie Hester Erickson, the fifth of five children. At the age of 12 his family moved to Gaston, Oregon where he attended and graduated from Laurelwood Academy in 1950. In 1953 he married Elmina Fjarli.

He graduated from Walla Walla College in 1957 with a degree in chemistry. College was interrupted by service in the Army during the Korean War. While in the Army he was trained as a dental technician, and it was during this time he was encouraged to pursue a career in dentistry due to his natural abilities.

Melvin moved to Albany and worked for the Bureau of Mines for two years before enrolling at the University of Oregon School of Dentistry. He worked his way through school by logging in the summers. After graduating in 1963 he began practicing dentistry in Albany, working for 35 years until retiring in 1998.

Dr J was an avid fisherman and hunter, traveling to Alaska, Costa Rica, Belize, Mexico, Florida and Hawaii to pursue these adventures. He was often accompanied by one or more of his sons. He also loved farming and raising cattle.

During retirement he served on the board of the Willamette Community Bank until his illness forced his resignation. He enjoyed trips to Sunriver and Chiloquin, where he spent time with family and friends. He provided dental services to the underprivileged in South America as a volunteer, and was a lifetime member of the OHSU School of Dentistry Alumni Association. He also built a wood working shop and made various pieces for family and friends.

Dr J was very proud of his five children and was a constant source of encouragement for them. Two of them followed him into dentistry, one went into medicine, one into accounting, and the youngest into veterinary medicine.

Melvin's three brothers, Raymond, Walter and Norval, preceded him in death. He is survived by one sister, Esther Cate of Eugene, his five children, their spouses and 16 grandchildren: Douglas and Kerry Johnson and children Justyn and Lakyn of Scio; Denise Johnson-Koos and Mark Koos and children Abigail, Austin, Ariel and Adrienne of Scio; Dennis and Flora Johnson of Naples, Italy and children Jared of California, and James, Jonathan and Jack of Naples, Italy; Daniel and Rhonda Johnson and children Hannah, Jake, Sophia and Jamison of Redding, Calif.; and Debra Johnson-Lister and Frank Lister and children Chase and Chance of Scio. Dr J also leaves behind his faithful mastiff companion, Tiger.

Dr J was dearly loved and will be missed by many.

Memorial services will be held at Fisher Funeral Home at 2 p.m., Wednesday, Jan. 2.

Contributions may be made to Medical Teams International Mobile Dental Clinic, c/o Fisher Funeral Home, 306 Washington Ave. S.W., Albany, OR 97321, , www.fisherfuneralhome.com.