Raymond A Johnson - Vietnam War Heroes, Heroes Memorial

Raymond Albin Johnson

Portland, Oregon

October 17 , 2022

Age	Military	Rank	Unit/Location
74	Army	Sgt

Raymond entered active duty in the US Army on 3 May 1968. He was honorably discharged on 7 May 1974 at the Rank of Sergeant (E-5). Raymond earned: the National Defense Service Medal; the Vietnam Service Medal; the Vietnam Campaign Medal; the Good Conduct Medal; the Combat Infantryman’s Badge; the Purple Heart w/ 1st Oak Leaf Cluster; the Air Medal;, and the Bronze Star Medal.

Obituary
Raymond Johnson, 74, Troutdale, OR, formerly of Minot, passed away Monday, October 17, 2022, at the Portland VA Medical Center.

Raymond Albin Johnson was born on November 24, 1947 to Carl and Agnes (Nichols) Johnson at St. Joseph’s Hospital, Minot, North Dakota. He attended Roosevelt Elementary and Bishop Ryan High Schools, through the 10th grade. In 1963, he entered the Job Corps in Hot Springs, South Dakota.

He was the image of Tom Sawyer, a carefree boy of the 1950’s, up and roaming the streets of Minot until sundown. We feel assured that he confessed to all the times he raced into a farmer’s field to steal a few ears of corn. He was idolized by his little brother, Rick, just eight years younger.

In March 1966, he enlisted in the United States Army, in the Infantry, serving three tours in the Republic of South Vietnam. He was awarded the Purple Heart on two separate occasions for being wounded in combat three times; the Air Medal for Meritorious Achievement while participating in aerial flight, the Bronze Star military who has demonstrated exceptional valor in combat, Viet Nam Campaign and Service Medals, Combat Infantry and Marksman Badges, and the National Defense Service Medal. Ray was a second-generation combat infantryman who served his country while exhibiting exceptional bravery. He was honorably discharged in May 1974.

He embraced his military service as one true accomplishment in life. He rarely missed Memorial Day Services, nor Veteran’s Day celebrations. He was a Lifelong member of Disabled American Veterans and the Veterans of Foreign Wars.

Post service, Ray worked road construction until his retirement in 2000 due to service-related disabilities from the shrapnel imbedded in his torso. Many found in Ray a kind-hearted soul who easily helped many wayward buddies along the way. Unfortunately, many of those did not pay him back nor paid it forward. Yet, he was always there when he could be.

He had a passion for motorcycles and multiple vehicles. His past times were spent camping, trapping small game, and target shooting. We swear that he could read the white-off-of-rice at half-mile away, without corrective lenses. Another life will now have that ability for Ray was an organ donor. He was a shrewd card player with a natural skill to track the cards in play. He was also able to go on long distance road trips without incident. Near lifelong alcoholism took its toll and diminished those skills. Ray had great pride in his extensive music cd’s and movie collection, which he had uniquely categorized. He knew if one was out of place!

He and his kitties #1 & #2, moved to Oregon in 2018 to be cared for by his brother, Richard, and his family. Until recently, he was still able to live independently. For entertainment, he was a one-man recycling program at his apartment complex. He routinely scoured his “route” for recyclable cans and bottles, arranged and sorted them like a warehouse, and managed to max out the allotted number of bags at the Bottle Drop. He then would assist in filling bags to donate to support the local DAV.

He was once married to Julie Ann Bruhn of Berthold. From this union, two daughters, Raina Dawn and Brecca Lynn were born.

He is survived by a brother, Richard (Joann) Johnson, Troutdale, Oregon; biological daughters, Raina (Jason) Harper and Brecca Phillips, in Indiana; grandsons Jonavan Phillips, Christian (Faith) Trent, and Ethan Trent, Great-Grandson Lance Trent, Nieces Jessica (Royal) Hebert, and Erica (Landon) Tuff, in Oregon, Great-Nephew, Hudson Hebert, and Special Friend, Michelle (Shelly) Benjamin, Ruso, North Dakota, Uncle, Alfred (Delores) Nichols, Minot, North Dakota, Aunts Bernice Tomascik and Linda Nichols, California, and Alice Blumhoff, South Dakota He was preceded in death by his parents, and friend, Cindy Hanson.

In lieu of flowers, Memorials are preferred to Quilted Dreams, Inc., Dixie Antle, 1721 NE 132nd Ave, Portland, OR 97230-3103. Quilted Dreams, Inc. supports local Veterans programs, currently fundraising to purchase a new DAV Van. Memorials may also be given in Ray’s honor to the donor’s local Veteran organization.

Liturgy of the Word Service: Saturday, October 29, 2022, at 1:00 p.m. at Thompson-Larson Funeral Home Chapel, Minot, ND
Interment: Rosehill Memorial Park, Minot, ND.
Visitation: Saturday, October 29, 2022, from noon until service time at Thompson-Larson Funeral Home, Minot, ND
Memorial Service: Saturday, November 19, 2022 Resurrection Lutheran Church, Portland Oregon.

For some memorial service photos, click photo below for slideshow:

November 19, 2022