JOHNSON, EARNEST F.

Earnest Frank Johnson was born on September 29, 1918 to Roderick and Stella Johnson in Lee County, North Carolina, where he lived until he joined the Marine Corps at the age of 17. He served in the Marine Corps for six years during World War II attaining the rank of Staff Sergeant. While serving in the South Pacific, he received a Citation for Bravery and Meritorious Devotion to Duty in Action.

On July 22, 1943 he married Emily Goolsby in Oakland, Calif. They had three children and moved to Chico in 1952. Earnest was employed by PG&E for 34 years before retiring. Earnest and Emily spent much time camping and traveling in their RV and later bought a cabin in Chester, Calif., where they vacationed frequently.

Emily passed away in 1994 and Earnest married Mildred “Millie” Dougherty in April, 1996. Millie recently passed away on July 3, 2006. Earnest had recently moved to the Auburn area to be with his children. He passed away Sunday [November 26, 2006] surrounded by his family.

Earnest and Millie were members of the Neighborhood Church in Chico where Earnest served as an usher for many years.

Earnest is survived by his daughter Cheryl; two sons and their wives, Frank and Sandra Johnson and Steve and Barbara Johnson; four grandchildren, Tanya Johnson, Stacy Johnson, Ronald Johnson, and Michael Johnson; and his sister Sally Wilson.

A Memorial Service will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, December 7, 2006 at Newton-Bracewell Chico Funeral Home. A Private Inurnment will take place at Chico Cemetery. Memorial Donations may be made to Neighborhood Church in care of the funeral home.