Raymond Johnson, 81 Thief River Falls - Raymond Johnson, 81, died on Wednesday, March 26, 2003 at his home in Thief River Falls. Funeral services were held on Saturday, March 29 at the Johnson-Green Funeral Home in Thief River Falls with the Rev. Dan Horn officiating. Ida Nordvall was the organist. Casketbearers were members of the VFW. Honorary casketbearers were Raymond's grandchildren, Brian, Bonnie, Caitlin and Kyle Johnson. Interment was in Greenwood Cemetery in Thief River Falls. Raymond Donald Johnson was born on September 14, 1921, the son of Carlie and Olivia (Olson) Johnson, in Thief River Falls. He was baptized in the Lutheran faith. He attended school in Thief River Flals, graduating from Lincoln High School in 1939. Following high school, he attended St. Olaf College for one year before entering the United States Air Force on August 21, 1942. He was stationed in Australia and the Philippines during World War II, where he was a mechanic, working on B-24 planes. He was honorably discharged on January 4, 1946. On July 17, 1942, he married Mary Mayer-Oakes in Kent, Ohio. The couple owned and operated the Soo Café in Thief River Falls with his brother, Gordon, for seven years. In 1950, they started the Western Auto Store, purchased the Sportsman's Store, and sold the Soo Café. They bought Hub Clothing, then moved the Western Auto Store and Hub Clothing into the Elk's building. In 1967, they sold the store. Mary and Raymond moved to Fridley in 1967. Raymond worked at the University of Minnesota Hospital as an operating engineer, retiring with over 20 years of service. The couple moved back to Thief River Falls in 1994. Raymond was an amateur radio operator and was a member of the Paul Bunyan Amateur Radio Club. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, gardening and was very active at the Heritage Center, where he had served as past President. Raymond was a member of the VFW and a former member of the Elks. Survivors include three sons, Gary Michael (Linda) of Bemidji, Stanley Dean (Rebecca) of Coon Rapids, and Raymond Dale (Debra) of Brooklyn Park; four grandchildren; special friend, Hazel Cloutier of Thief River Falls; and one nephew. Raymond was preceded in death by his wife, Mary; one brother, Gordon; and his parents. A00003B2003AR02

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