Bruce Kenneth Johnson

Bruce Kenneth Johnson was born on March 8, 1943, in Mason City Iowa to the loving parents Carrol Julius Johnson and Dorothy Mae (Sperry) Johnson. At the time of his birth his father, known as Bud, was working on Baffin Island on the Alcan Highway (Alaska-Canada Highway). His father went into the Navy and returned in 1945 when Bruce was two years old. During his younger school years, Bruce delivered newspapers and worked detasseling cornfields. In high school, he played football, baseball, golf, and the summer months cutting and laying sod.

After high school, Bruce enlisted into the Navy in January 1962 at the age of 19. While in the Navy and stationed in Long Beach, Bruce’s cousin Terry Schaper arranged a blind date with a local girl in their church, Shirley Ellen White. She was a junior in high school and was frequently was hired as a babysitter for the Schaper children. Bruce’s cousin Jan, her husband, Bruce, and Shirley went on a double date to see the movie West Side Story. This is where Bruce met the love of his life!

Bruce and Shirley were married on July 23, 1966, in Norwalk California with the support of friends and family. They honeymooned in a cabin in the
local mountains. Their first home was small and located in Bellflower California. Bruce referred to the home as the “sugar shack”.

At the beginning of their marriage, Bruce took a job at McDonnell Douglas as a radio mechanic. He learned this trade while in the Navy. He later
started working at the LAX airport for Trans World Airlines. The company was later bought by American Airlines. This is the company he worked at
until his retirement in 2003.

Bruce and Shirley later moved to an apartment in South Gate, California. They welcomed their first-born daughter Anna Lynn Johnson on February
13, 1967.

In 1969 they bought their first home in Long Beach California. They welcomed their second daughter, Holly Mae Johnson on May 8, 1969. They
resided in the first home until 1977 and purchased their second home on Myrtle Avenue, also in Long Beach. This was a half-acre property where
Bruce was able to garden and had plenty of property to store a small fishing boat, camper, and many other gadgets to support his hobbies. Shirley often referred to it as “junk”, but Bruce saved things he thought he could use in the future. The property was also zoned for horses and had a barn. A kind neighbor gifted Anna and Holly with their very own pony when they were young girls. Bruce embraced his daughters’ love of horses. The family later purchased other horses to support their daughters’ interest in showing. They even had the opportunity to raise several foals.

The property came with two large avocado trees. Bruce was known over the years for his generosity by sharing avocados and other home-grown
produce with the local fire department, neighbors, family, and friends. He viewed the avocados as prized possessions and often only let you select
avocados from the ground. Picking the fruit from the trees was forbidden! Bruce always said the ones on the tree weren’t ready. The family has always shared laughs about his fondness of the avocado trees.

While living in Iowa Bruce enjoyed pheasant hunting with his father. Over the years he enjoyed many hunting and fishing trips with friends. He was
a member of the Long Beach Sportsman Club and was a regular at the Monday club meetings in his later years. His man cave (den) walls were
covered with ducks, deer, and photos of his hobby.

Bruce was social and had many friends he made over the years at work, the club, and the community garden. He enjoyed cooking with Shirley and
had many family and friend gatherings. His wife always supported him and was a loving and gentle presence in his life. He could have not found a
better partner to endure the unexpected challenges of life.

Bruce and Shirley have always been pillars in the family by supporting their grandchildren’s life events such as graduations, weddings, baptisms,
and was recently able to be a part of his eldest granddaughter’s engagement in December 2019.

Bruce passed away on June 7, 2020 at his home surrounded by his wife, daughters, and grandchildren after battling many health issues. He is
survived by his loving and patient wife of 53 years, his eldest daughter Anna, her two children Ryan, Carissa, and fiancé Moe, his daughter Holly,
her husband Vince, their two children Courtney married to Scotty, and son Matthew. Bruce affectionately considered extended family members,
Nicole, Veronica, and Brandon as his grandchildren. Bruce had wonderful caregivers. The family wants to especially thank Carol Taylor for the
positive spirit and comfort she brought Bruce in his final months.

Luyben Dilday Mortuary (562) 425-6401