Albert E. Johnson Jr.

Private graveside services will be held.

Al was born in Lincoln, Nebraska, on December 16, 1921 to Albert E, Sr. and Viola (Christiansen) Johnson. When he was a teenager, his family moved to the community of Willwood in Wyoming where he graduated from Powell High School. He had many wonderful memories of times spent with friends riding horses in the Peaks, swimming in and ice-skating on the Claudson’s pond, hunting and fishing.

After enlisting in the Marine Corp, Al served in the South Pacific and Aleutian Islands during WWII. He was very proud to serve his country and kept a scrapbook of newspaper articles about local boys in the war.

Returning from the war, he met and married Hazel Verhelst. They drew a homestead through a lottery on Heart Mountain, Wyoming. After farming there some years, they sold and moved to Willwood near Powell. Al built the home where they raised their family, farming there as well.

Years later, single again; he rekindled an old friendship and married his childhood friend, widowed Opal Claudson, in Kenear, Wyoming on August 1, 1968. They moved to Prineville in May 1969.

Al worked as a carpenter millwright for Coin Millwork, and later was a construction and backhoe operator for Ochoco Irrigation District. He used his knowledge and experience to help his family with all their projects, as well as many of his own. He loved the outdoors and spent his life enjoying it. Hunting, fishing, camping, and woodcutting were his favorite hobbies. Spending time with family was also important; he left them with many happy memories of these occasions together.

Al is survived by daughter, Donna (Michael) Smith of Garden Grove, CA; son, Wayne (Linda) of Bremerton, WA; stepdaughters, Claudean (Tom) Green of Prineville, Beverly (Steve) McKinley of Soldotna, AK; stepsons, Rommie (Joyce) Claudson of Cody, WY; Garen Claudson and Rick (Tina) Claudson of Prineville; brother, Ken (Anne) Johnson; 12 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren.

His parents, wife, and one brother preceded him in death.

Arrangements are entrusted to the care of the Prineville Funeral Home.

Arrangements are in the care of Prineville Funeral Home.

Please visit www.PrinevilleFuneralHome.com to share your memories or express your condolences by signing the on-line Guest Book.