M. Bruce Johnson, 96
Maurice “Bruce” Johnson passed away Jan. 19, 2013. Bruce was born April 19, 1916, the 10th of 11 children from the union of John Joseph (Jack) Johnson an Irish immigrant and Lura Beeman of English and Scottish decent from Genesee.
He was raised on a dairy farm in Hassan, Wash. (Pine Creek) until age 14 when he and his mother moved to nearby Omak, Wash., to provide him a high school education. His father died from a farm accident when he was 8 years old.
During high school, and several years after graduating, Bruce was employed by the J.C. Penney Co. in Omak and Wenatchee, Wash. He joined the Army Air Corps in 1943 and served proudly in World War II as a 2nd Lieutenant in the Pacific Theater including Guadalcanal, Philippines, Okinawa, Seoul, Korea and Officer’s Candidate School in Brisbane, Australia.
Bruce married his high school sweetheart, Dorothy Minnich, Sept. 1, 1940, in the First Presbyterian Church in Omak. His career in sales took them to Seattle (three years), Soap Lake, Wash. (20 years) and on to Redding, Calif., for 35 years, until joining family in Coeur d’Alene in 2001.
Bruce was a prolific salesman. Over the years he thoroughly enjoyed delving into land development, real estate sales and sales of cars and mobile homes. If it interested him – he would love a chance to interest you! The epitome of an entrepreneur, he booked wildlife films for his nephew as well as spent a few years in Nevada mining for gold. With the encouragement of his wife he also became a Nature’s Sunshine supplement distributor and loved learning about the healing properties of herbs. We think that’s the reason he lived so long!
Although he was a reluctant church goer in his early years, he enjoyed studying religion. He researched the teachings of Uranchia, was an active member of the Church of Religious Science in Redding and attended services at the Church of the Nazarene in Coeur d’Alene.
Bruce is survived by his wife of 72 years, Dorothy; son Maurice B. Johnson II (Patricia); daughter Rebecca Rennebaum (Fritz); grandchildren, Vincent Johnson, Lisa Adlard (David), Derek Rennebaum and great-granddaughter Delaney Adlard.
He and Dorothy resided at Legends Park Assisted Living and Four Seasons Assisted Living during the last few years of Bruce’s life. Thank you to all the staff at these facilities and those from Hospice of North Idaho for the special care you have provided.
The love of his family was so very important to him and we will miss the twinkle in his eyes and his light Irish step!
Services are pending.
Visit Bruce’s online memorial at www.englishfuneralchapel.com.