Carl Raymond Johnson

Carl Raymond Johnson, age 90, beloved father, grandfather, brother, artist, teacher, fisherman and longtime resident of Cut Bank completed his earthly journey June 24, 2015 at the Glacier Care Center after a short illness.

A memorial service and military honors will be 11:00 on Thursday, July 2, 2015 at St. Paul Lutheran Church. Inurnment will take place at a later date at Conrad Memorial Cemetery in Kalispell. Whitted Funeral Chapel of Cut Bank has been entrusted with the final arrangements.

Carl was born in Billings, MT April 1, 1925, the youngest child and only surviving son of Charles and Hannah (Nygaard) Johnson. The family had a homestead in Yellowstone County. He attended school at Billings High School until his senior year at which point he left to join the Navy and contribute to the war effort.   After serving his country he was honorably discharged March 14, 1946.

Carl attended college at Eastern Montana University (MSUB) where he studied elementary education and art-and met his future wife, Evelyn Louise Marie Dunham. He graduated in June 1952. The couple married in Kalispell, MT at Bethlehem Lutheran church on August 22, 1953 and moved to Choteau, MT where Carl began his career as a seventh and eighth grade Mathematics and Art teacher and the couple's children Marion (Peggy), Danni, and Matthew were born.

The family relocated briefly to Helena in 1963, where Carl taught eighth grade math and science. In 1964 the family moved to Cut Bank when Carl accepted a position as sixth grade teacher. As time went by the family put down roots and Carl's position with Cut Bank Public Schools morphed into a tenured junior high and high school art teacher position that he kept until his retirement June 5, 1987.  During this time he inspired many students and artists, both amateur and professional, and is credited by many for creating a love for the arts.

In his retirement he briefly worked part time at E. Mitre Box frame shop and gallery where he learned the mechanics of matting and framing. He was an avid fisherman and could be found often at Duck Lake, Mission Lake and his favorite fishing ground Two Medicine Lake. He loved walking and hiking and could be found walking the trail by the Cut Bank River and up the trestle hill.  After the death of his wife in 1992, he became a consummate bachelor filling his time with fishing, walking/hiking, doodling cartoons for his friends and family, puttering in his garden and enjoying his daily 4:00 PM beer.  He loved going on long aimless drives with his son and granddaughters, exploring little known backroads around the surrounding area. He was a frequent customer of the Cut Bank Senior Citizen lunch program.

Carl is survived by his son Matthew (Michelle) Johnson of Monaca, PA; his 3 granddaughters: April (John) Jorgenson of Portland, OR, Corrie Johnson of Cut Bank and Gabrielle (Matt) Guse of Missoula, MT; his sisters Emma Endicott of Greeley, CO; Madeline Highbaugh of Grants Pass, OR; 4 great grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews.

He is preceded in death by his wife, Evelyn; a brother, Morris; a sister, Hazel; his twin sister, Carol; and his daughters Marion Rides at the Door and Danni Guse.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Cut Bank Revitalization Society or the Cut Bank Senior Center.