John Pascal Johnson (JP) came into this world on November 3, 1937 in Whitefish Montana.
He was the first child born to John and Mary Johnson.
He spent his early years enjoying life in small town Whitefish Montana. After high school graduation, where John was the salutatorian, he began studies at Northwest Bible College in Kirkland Washington.
He graduated in 1960 with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Theology with the distinction of graduating Magna Cum Laude. While at Northwest he married Merry Lemon.They later divorced.
In 1960 John took his small family to Mexico for mission work; taking the love and grace of Jesus to various regions of the country.
Oaxaca is one area where the Johnson family thrived; it proved to be the perfect match for John's vision and vocation.
The Johnson family served the people of Oaxaca wholeheartedly for many years.
In 1995 John met Lonna Leahy and they married later that year. The Johnson and Leahy children count themselves as siblings and part of a large blended family.
John and Lonna enjoyed travel throughout Montana during John's employment with
Migrant Education. His Spanish speaking and writing skills were invaluable in this position and John was sorely missed when he retired. John also taught Spanish at Flathead Community College in Kalispell Montana.
John and Lonna moved to Elko Nevada then eventually settled in Winnemucca Nevada.
While in Winnemucca, John was a board member of Pleasant Senior Center, director of the Kitchen Klatter Band, a bible study leader in his apartment complex, and a local fill-in pastor when needed.
John loved to sing, cook, and study God's word. He led an adventurous life and shared stories that made one laugh and cry. His heart was full when family visited.
John is survived by wife Lonna; his six children; John, Tammy(Pat),
Rodney(Connie), Everett(Marie) Paul(Lisa), and Merry Elva(Vicente); Lonna's children who called him dad; George(Rhonda), Karen(Ben), David(Naomi), Tammy(Fred).
John was blessed with 17 grandchildren and 23 great grandchildren.
A memorial will be held at Pleasant Senior Center in Winnemucca on March 25 from 2-4pm. Bring your memories to share and enjoy light refreshments.
A private family celebration will be held in May.
