Melvin Johnson

Melvin was born October 14, 1930 in Alma, Nebraska. His parents were James and Mary Crist Kasbeer Johnson. After living several other places, they eventually moved to Fort Collins in 1945. Melvin graduated from Fort Collins High School in 1948 where he was a member of the State Football Championship Team. He graduated from Colorado State University in 1951 with a degree in Economics. He was the editor of the Silver Spruce yearbook and a member of the Sigma Phil Epsilon fraternity.

He married Cherie Pennock in 1950 and they had four children, Cheryl, Cynthia, James, and Melanie. After Cherie’s death, he married Marilyn Wainwright July 9, 2005.

During his lifetime, Melvin always loved Fort Collins and was very active in the community. He was a loyal supporter of the CSU Rams and the Denver Broncos. He was in the Jaycees for many years and served as the U.S. Vice-President in 1960. He was a general contractor. In the 1970’s and 1980’s he received numerous national real estate designations including becoming a Certified Commercial Investment Member in 1972. He taught many real estate classes all over the country. For most of his life he was self-employed, working with his dad in James Johnson & Son, which then became Johnson Investments, Inc.

Melvin is survived by his wife Marilyn; his four children and their spouses Cheryl (Marty) Olson, Cynthia Johnson (Joe Ahrenholtz), James (Julie) Johnson, and Melanie (Larry) Moore; grandchildren Alexandra, Amanda, Mary, Jillian, Carol, Joseph, Janna, Rebecca, Matthew, James, Elizabeth and 10 great-grandchildren, as well as Marcy Wainright, Bruce (Faith) Wainwright, and Elise Strachilla. Melvin was preceded in death by his parents, two sisters, a brother, and his wife, Cherie.

A Public Visitation was held Tuesday, September 14, 2021 at Allnutt Drake Chapel in Fort Collins, Colorado. Melvin was laid to rest in a Graveside Service at Roselawn Cemetery in Fort Collins. Pastor Tim Runtsch officiated Melvin's service. Thank you to all those who were able to attend and remember Melvin.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.allnuttftcollins.com for the Johnson family.