La Verne Johnson

La Verne Bravo Johnson, 90, was born in Stockton, California to Edward & Gertrude Bravo. She passed away on April 29, 2016. A loving mother, grandmother, great grandmother and devoted wife of 70 years, she was preceded in death by her husband Frank Johnson (co-owner of Bravo & McKeegan). La Verne was born and raised in Stockton where she graduated from Stockton High School. In her teens she attended Reno Flight School and received her pilot’s license at the beginning of World War II. During the war she met young Army cadet Frank Johnson at the Stockton cadets club sponsored by her father. They fell in love and married in October of 1945, just following V-J Day. They both attended Stanford University where she earned her degree in journalism. She went on to write children’s stories based on her children, which led to the publication of Night Noises in 1968.

She is survived by her 3 sons- Tom (Donna), Bill (Peggy) and Jim (Kim) Johnson and daughter- Lani (Jim) Rose. She is also survived by 7 grandchildren & 5 great-grandchildren.

A small gathering will be held on May 6, 2016 from 11am to 1pm at De Young Memorial Chapel, 601 N California Street, Stockton, CA. Committal will be private.

Arrangements under the direction of De Young Memorial Chapel, STOCKTON, CA.