Charles Lewis Johnson

CHARLES LEWIS JOHNSON 1921-2011 Charles Lewis Johnson was born September 19, 1921 in Spokane, WA the oldest of four children born to George M, and Mattie B. Phillips Johnson. This quiet, gentle man was affectionately known as Uncle Lewie, Grandpa, Great Grandpa and Great-Great Grandpa. Lewis’ family didn’t realize that his legal name wasn’t Lewis Charles until he was a sophomore in high school when his birth certificate was presented for Social Security purposes. In spite of his name officially being Charles Lewis everyone knows him as Lewis. In 1932 the family moved from Spokane to live and work on the family farm on Dufort Road. His education started in Spokane. He graduated from Sandpoint High School in 1940 and attended the University of Oregon. During WWII he served with the Army Air Corp as a radar operator technician on the Eastern Coast of the US and in England and Germany. Upon his release from military service at the conclusion of WWII he enrolled in pre-med at the University of Oregon with the goal of becoming a medical doctor. In his sophomore year he returned to the family farm to become a self-employed Grade A dairyman. He managed to arrange his busy schedule to drive school bus for Bonner County on regular routes and for extra curricular activities for 13 years. At the age of 54 he was reacquainted with a high school classmate. They met at the bank one day where she had to make daily deposits and Lewis routinely made it a point to be there when she was. In 1975 Edna Evaline Blanche Bliss Spealman became Lewis’ wife of almost 36 years. He gave up dairying and went to work for the Bonner County Assessor’s Office where his attention to detail and his knowledge of the rural community made him a valued employee. Since official retirement from the workforce in 1988, Lewis volunteered his services to the Bonner County Historical Society. In later years his favorite hobby has been family history research. His most famous work is the publication of a 490 page book, I Married A Lady, a History of the Bliss and Related Families. Through his research he has helped many families with accurate, detailed information about their family ancestry. Lewis’ strong moral character was rooted in his deep faith in God. Those who knew Lewis also knew that he was a man of integrity and dependability. He kept his word regardless of circumstances. He placed his faith and trust in Jesus and that is how we have complete assurance today that he is with God in heaven. Lewis is survived by his wife, Edna, at the family home in Sandpoint as well as her children Steve (Carol) Spealman, Sandra (Nels) Pitotti and Joel (Jennifer Green) Spealman plus many grandchildren, great grandchildren and a great-great granddaughter. He is also survived by his two sisters Jacqueline Hines and Patsy (Steve) Charchan both of Sandpoint plus many nieces and nephews, grand nieces and nephews and great grand nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, his brother and sister-in-law, Walter and Eva Johnson, and brothers-in-law Dale Hines and Loren Balch. Memorials may be made to Bonner Community Hospice, POB 1448, Sandpoint, ID 83864 or a charity of your choice. A memorial service will be held at Coffelt’s Funeral Chapel on Monday, July 18 at 11:00 AM with a reception/potluck immediately following at the VFW Hall. Please bring a salad or side dish to share. Interment took place in Pinecrest Memorial Park. Family and friends are invited to sign Lewis’ online guest book at www.coffeltfuneralo.com. Arrangements are entrusted to the care of Coffelt Funeral Service.