Obituary of Matt Matthew Johnson

“Matt” Johnson, second child and only son of Ron and Rosalie K. Johnson, Vale, Oregon, was born July 5, 1960, at Malheur Memorial Hospital in Nyssa. He joined older sister Kimberly; and during the following years younger sisters Shannon, Tracy and Stephanie showed up to complete their family.

Matt (a proud Viking) attended Vale Schools, graduating from Vale Union High in May 1978, contemplating the future four years in the U.S. Navy. He completed basic training at San Diego, Calif. Later, extended trainings occurred at Alameda Naval Base adjacent to San Francisco. During time at sea, Matt served aboard the USS Kansas City. Matt remained proud of his military service to his nation for the rest of his days; he was honorably discharged from the U.S. Navy mid-summer of 1982.

As a civilian Matt continued his formal education at TVCC/Ontario, as well as Boise State, earning a degree in accounting in 1985.

In June 1984, Matt married his college love, Ms. Kelly L. Emerich. They relocated to Albuquerque, New Mexico, where Kelly completed her education. During this time Matt interviewed, and was subsequently hired by the IRS, domiciled at the Chicago office. This new employment precipitated the move to Recine, Wisc., where continued to live until his untimely death. The young couple had no children; they divorced in 2007.

Matt was predeceased by his paternal grandparents, George and Marjorie Johnson; maternal grandparents Lincoln A. and Marie Snow Kindall, their year-old son James Lincoln Kindall, as well as Matt’s First cousin, Nathaniel Lee Johnson, beloved son of Gary and Anita Johnson.

Matt was survived by his parents; siblings Kimberly Buxton (Jim) of Boise, Shannon L. Johnson of Anchorage, Alaska, Tracy Yraguen, (Michael Payne), Willowcreek, Stephanie Mooney FNP, of Boise; uncles and spouses: Joe and Wilma Johnson, Baker City, Gary and Anita Johnson, Haines; and an aunt, Sharon Johnson Findley (Gerald), of Goodyear, Ariz.; as well as the extended families of the aforementioned Johnsons. Too numerous to list: members of both the Kendall and Snow families, relatives of Matt’s mother, Rosalie K. Johnson. Special mention to Matt’s two nephews and seven nieces...apples of his eyes!

Matt was a lover of all animals, great and/or small, so no small surprise he left the bulk of his estate to the ASPCA.

A memorial service to honor Matt’s time with us all, as well as to acknowledge our love and high regard for him will be held Saturday, March 23, at 11 a.m. at Vale Christian Church, with Pastor Phil Abbott officiating, In lieu of monetary or floral gifts, certainly Matt would prefer a donation to ASPCA or the American Cancer Society.

A full luncheon will be served after the memorial service.