Obituary of Alvin Johnson

Alvin C. Johnson passed away on November 3rd, 2015 at 5:35 AM. Alvin Johnson was born in Vernon, Colorado February 17th, 1924, where he lived until 1925. Then his family moved to a farm east of Burlington where he worked on the family farm. In 1930, Alvin and his family moved to a farm 12 miles north of Burlington and two miles west. Alvin became an avid hatchery man working for the Gold Bond Hatchery for four years where he developed his expertise in hatching chicks, culling both chicks and eggs and the mixing of certain grains and supplements. Alvin joined the Army Air Force, August 14, 1942 and on April 17, 1943 his B17 in which he was the tail gunner was shot down over Bremen, Germany. He was a POW for 2 years for which he was awarded the Purple Heart. Upon his discharge on October 16, 1945 from the Army Air Force, he purchased 400 acres adjoining his parent’s farm. Upon his parents death he purchased his parents farm and still continued to farm there until his death. On March 23, 1946, Alvin married Reba Warren and from this union three children were born: Anna Mae, Larry, and Bonnie. His five grandchildren and six great grandchildren came later. He was a member of Burlington United Methodist Church at the time of his death. Alvin left a great legacy which included raising registered Yorkshire hogs, registered Black Angus cattle, buffalo, elk, antelope, bears, yak, horses, Russian Boars and African sheep. He also raised many different species of wild birds such as pheasants, grouse, wild turkey, geese, guineas, peacocks, chucker, and many species of quail, just to name a few. He gave numerous no charge tours to the scouts, church groups, and schools. The Environmental Award presented by the Burlington Soil Conservation District in 2000 was presented to him in recognition of years of developing a diverse wildlife community. He was a great advocate of soil conservation and in October 1972, Alvin and Reba were honored as being outstanding conservationists of the Burlington District. Alvin won outstanding Farmer for leadership in Wildlife Habitats by the Burlington Soil Conservation District. The Contributor of the Year Award for 1994-1995 was awarded to him for contributions to support at Dynamic Dimensions, Inc. He ran a diversified farming operation in which there were five irrigation wells as well as dry land farming, growing soybeans, sorghum, corn, alfalfa, and wheat. He is preceded in death by his father, Frank Johnson; mother, Olive (Walters) Johnson; brothers, Kenneth, Arthur, Frank, Leonard, and sister Vera Walters. He is survived by his wife Reba of 69 years, his three children, five grandchildren, and seven great grandchildren.