Lester Les John Johnson Jr.

Lester “Les” John Johnson, Jr., beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather and friend, died peacefully at home January 1, 2014. Les was born in Long Beach, California to Lester John Johnson, Sr. and Leona (Langley) Johnson. Nellie Lee Johnson (deceased) was Les’ older sister. Les weighed only 3 lbs. 12 oz. at birth. He began in a fight for his life and from that day forward, he never took life for granted. Les attended Lafayette Grammar School, George Washington Jr. High and Polytechnic High School graduating in 1948, all in the City of Long Beach as well as City College where he attained his Associate of Science Degree. He also attended Compton JC, Harbor JC, Dominguez JC, and Long Beach State University. During this time he joined the U.S. Naval Air Reserve. He was stationed at Los Alamitos Naval Air Station where he spent 12 years as a weekend warrior. During Les’ early years he worked delivering parts on a three-wheeled motorcycle for Mel Burns Ford Dealership and did construction work on the Whaley Tract homes in the east part of Long Beach. He also worked for Long Beach Oil Development. He was appointed as a Police Officer on May 4, 1953 for the City of Long Beach. This made his father a very happy man as he was an Inspector and retired with 37 years with the Long Beach Police Department. Les was proud to wear the badge and loved his job on the L.B. Police Department and enjoyed the camaraderie with his fellow officers. He loved working the downtown area. He retired July 15, 1984 after serving 31 years 2 months and 11 days with the title of #1 Sergeant, which he had held for several years. Outside of his job, Les was very active in Freemasonry. He petitioned Long Beach Lodge # 327 and became a Mason in 1961. He was also very involved in DeMolay with his two sons, Lester John Johnson, III and Robert Page Johnson and became a supervisor in Long Beach Chapter Order of DeMolay. Les was ultimately awarded the Honorary Legion of Honor at the Scottish Rite in Los Angeles in 1973. Les served on the Grand Lodge Trial Review Committee in 1978. Additionally, Les was appointed to the Masonic Lodge #327 Officers Line where he spent eight years and became Worshipful Master in 1980. He received his 50-year recognition award in June 2013. Les was also a member of the Long Beach Scottish Rite, El Bekal Shrine, and President of the Peace Officers Shrine Club. After his retirement Les also became a member of the York Rite Bodies, which led to his membership in the Allied Masonic Degrees. He became Sovereign Master in 2005 and in 2006 he was awarded the Red Branch of Erie from the Allied Masonic Degrees. The family would like to thank Carlo, June and all Hospice service-workers who tenderly cared for Les during the latter part of his life. He is survived by his loving wife, Pat; two sons, Lester John Johnson, III (Patrice), Robert Page Johnson (Linda), and stepson, David Bozulich; five grandchildren and twelve great-grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his former wife, Doris Ozment; his parents (Lester John Johnson, Sr. and Leona Langley); and his sister, Nellie Lee Hartsock. A viewing will be held at Luyben Family Dilday-Mottell Mortuary, 5161 Arbor Road, Long Beach, California, on Friday, January 10, from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. Funeral services will be held at Long Beach Masonic Lodge, 3610 Locust Avenue, Long Beach, California, on Saturday, January 11, at 11:00 a.m. Interment will take place at Green Hills Memorial Park, 27501 South Western Avenue, Rancho Palos Verdes, California, at 3:27 p.m that afternoon. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Long Beach Police Department’s Widows & Orphans Trust Fund, c/o L.B.P.O.A., 2865 Temple Avenue, Long Beach, California 90755 or Mission Hospice of South Pasadena, 625 Fair Oaks Ave #229, South Pasadena, CA 91030.