Leland Marvin Johnson

Leland Marvin Johnson, 66, passed away in Cocolalla, ID on Friday, Januaary, 2, 2009. Funeral services will be conducted at 11 AM, Saturday, January 10th in the Sandpoint First Christian Church. Pastor Barry Johnson will be officiating and interment will be in Pinecrest Memorial Park. Calling hours will be on Friday, January 9th, from 12 noon until 6 PM at Coffelt Funeral Service. Leland was born, in Sandpoint, on August 31, 1942; he was one of 3 children of Marvin and Alberta Johnson. He attended school, at the old schoolhouse, in Cocolalla until the 5th grade and graduated from Sandpoint High School in 1961. He joined the US Army in 1961 serving in Korea for one and a half years. He trained as a communication lineman and finished his tour at Fort Lewis, WA in 1964. While in the Army he married his high school sweetheart, Vickie Erickson on October 31, 1963. He worked for General Telephone for 13 years. They had two wonderful sons Russell and Eric Johnson. He moved his family to Alaska where he worked for Anchorage Telephone Utilities for another 13 years. He enjoyed fishing, hunting and all that Alaska wilderness had to offer. He was accompanied on many of these excursions with his special friend George Wallace. He returned to Cocolalla, Idaho several times a year to work with his dad on the Christmas Tree Farm. Leland and Vickie moved back to Cocolalla in June of 1991, where he retired from the telephone company at age 48 and continued to work on the tree farm until about three years ago when finally “retired.” After retirement Leland and Vickie went out on another adventure. In 1999 they went from one coast to another doing “hot shot” trucking, making long hauls. On October 9th 2008 his mother, Alberta Johnson passed away at 90 years of age. Leland was extremely dedicated to his family and friends. He could not give enough to others. Although he was always on the go, he made time to help a friend in need. He was loved by so many people. Leland was a life time member of the VFW, IBEW Local # 89 out of Everett, WA; he is a past president of the Inland Empire Christmas Tree Association; Past President of the J & R water Association, and a member of the Cocolalla Community Hall. Leland is survived by his wife Vickie of 45 years, son Russell (Deanna) of San Diego, CA; son Eric (Arin) of Cocolalla, ID; one granddaughter Elizabeth Johnson of San Diego, CA; father Marvin Johnson of Cocolalla, ID; sister Lois and Mason Chapin of Cocolalla, ID; sister Kathleen Johnson and many nieces and nephews.