Galen Dale Johnson was born on June 17, 1935, in Arkansas to Cleo and Ruby Johnson. In 1952 Work brought the family of 9 to California in a single-cab pickup truck. A few years after graduating high school, Galen was reluctantly drafted into the Army. While home on leave in July 1958, he met June. By his next leave, Mrs. Johnson had arranged for June to travel to Oregon to see him, and it was there, over a Coke, that Galen asked, "Want to get married?" They were quickly married on Christmas Eve of 1958 in his parents' home.

Galen and June went on to raise three boys while he worked hard farming to support the family. Bonding with the boys was easy, they all shared a love for cars and often referred to a person not by their name but by the car that they drove. Years later when the 7 grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren came along, Papa's playful side really shined. You could find him chasing, tickling, and playing with all of the kids.

His steadfast nature taught lessons to everyone blessed to know him. The words "strong" and "gentle" don't often seem to go together, but in Papa they made perfect sense. He showed true love to his wife of 67 years and because of him, everybody that witnessed it will carry on an example of the purest love.

Papa made everybody feel safe and loved. He was respected by everyone who knew him, not because he demanded it or spoke the

loudest, but because he lived a life of integrity, humility, and quiet strength. He was a man of few words, yet his presence spoke volumes. His steady character and unwavering example shaped his family, and his legacy will live on through them.