Albert “Al” Ray Johnson
Albert “Al” Ray Johnson of Durango, CO, formerly of Union, IA, passed February 5, 2018, in Durango, CO. Funeral services will be 10:00 a.m., Saturday, March 3, 2018, at Bangor Liberty Friends Church. Visitation will be 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., Friday, March 2, 2018, at Anderson Funeral Homes in Conrad, IA. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be sent to Quakerdale in New Providence, IA; Bangor-Liberty Friends Church in Union, IA; Union Church of Christ in Union, IA; or First Presbyterian Church in Durango, CO. On-line condolences may be sent to www.andersonfhs.com.
Al was born on November 16, 1922, at home on the family farm outside of Union, IA. A graduate of Union Consulting School in 1941, he began college at Iowa State University. However, he was requested by the draft board during World War II to return to Union and farm. After the war, he returned to ISU and graduated with a BS in Animal Husbandry in 1951. He met his wife, Margaret Anne Posegate, at college and they were married August 27, 1952. They had five children: Anne Edmiston, Ray (Karen) Johnson, Dwight (Bonnie) Johnson, Katie (Tim) Hill, and Carole (Mark) Sandeen. For many years, Al was a deacon and Sunday School teacher at the Union Church of Christ, active in a Bible study at Bangor Liberty Friends Church and a 4-H leader. Al and Margaret farmed the same farm where he was born until Margaret’s passing in September 1985. He married Carolyn Johnson Emery on March 17, 1987. He retired from active farming and moved to Durango, CO in January 1988 to build a life with Carolyn. The blended family now consisted of Al’s five children, along with Carolyn’s five: Sandy (Kevin) Braa, Mark Emery, Maurie Emery, Sonja (John) Walker and Stan (Julie) Emery. Together they had 21 grandchildren, and nine great grandchildren. The family enjoyed each other’s company at various family reunions through the years.
Al began working as a stock and sales clerk for Red Barn Lumber Co. (now United Building Supply) in July 1989. He enjoyed working indoors and loved helping customers as they shopped for various supplies. After spending much of his life caring for livestock and crops, he found that he had a lot to give to people. This second career lasted until Al turned 86 and retired in November 2008. For many years he and Carolyn traveled to the farm in Iowa to visit countless family and friends. The family remembers him as a loving husband, dad, step-dad and grandpa. Al was patient and kind, a hard worker with a gentle sense of humor. One of his greatest joys was spending time with family, friends and, of course, his many furry friends throughout his lifetime.