Hershel Junior Johnson, 79, 46-year resident of Oak Harbor, died May 5, 2005 at Skagit Valley Hospital.

Mr. Johnson was born April 1, 1926, in Greenbrier, Ark., to Owen Johnson and Roxie (Hall) Johnson. He lived in the area until joining the Navy, serving his country during World War II and the Korean Conflict. He retired at Whidbey Island Naval Air Station in 1962 with the rank of petty officer first class.

He was actively involved in the Masonic Lodge and initially became a member when he joined the Corpus Christi Lodge No. 189 AF & AM in 1952. When he moved to Oak Harbor in 1959, he became a member of the Whidby Lodge No. 15 F & AM and later the Garfield Lodge No. 41 F & AM in LaConner; he was also a 32nd Degree K.C.C.H. Scottish Rite member; a member of the York Rite Bodies; and a member of the Order of Amaranth.

He was an advisory board member for the Rainbows and a Scout Master for Troop No. 95, Boy Scouts of America.

Hershel was employed with civil service in the calibration lab at NAS Whidbey for a number of years following his retirement from the military. He also drove a school bus for the Oak Harbor School District. Hershel spent many hours as a volunteer and served as a bell ringer for the Salvation Army for many Christmas seasons. He coached Little League Baseball and was a past board member for the Masonic Park in Granite Falls.

Hershel loved camping, fishing and hunting, and taught his family a love for the great outdoors.

Hershel is survived by son James Johnson and his wife Gerri of Manhattan Beach, Calif.; daughter Elaine Smith and husband Chip of Fife, and son Roy Johnson and wife Robbin of Marysville; two grandchildren, Rebecca and Michael Johnson, both of Marysville; one great-grandson, Tobyn Carter; also, two sisters, Mary Smith and husband Joe of Little Rock, Ark., and Elvia Ruth Williams and husband Darrell of Texas. He was preceded in death by his brother Joseph and sister Ruth.

Visitation was May 10 followed by a graveside service at Maple Leaf Cemetery, with members of the Whidby Lodge No. 15 and Garfield Lodge No. 41 officiating. Full military honors will be under the auspices of NAS Whidbey Honor Guard.

Memorials may go to the Scottish Rite Center for Childhood Language Disorders, 1155 Broadway East, Seattle, WA 98102. Arrangements under direction of Burley Funeral Chapel.