Irvin Dennis Johnson
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Paula
Burial Details
Obituaries
Grand Junction Daily Sentinel page 3B Obituary - February 2, 2019
Irvin Dennis Johnson went to be with his Lord on Thursday, January 17, 2019. He was born in Molina, Colorado, on April 25, 1931. His parents were Dewey and Bertha (Nygren) Johnson. They preceded him to heaven, along with his brothers, Harold Johnson and Robert "Bobby" Johnson, and sisters, JoAnn Gainey and Elaine Seamon. Irvin attended Molina Elementary School, and graduated from Collbran High School. Growing up in a farming community, he learned to do many jobs; he milked cows, took care of fences, and picked peaches among other things. Other jobs he held included working on a survey crew and in a uranium mine. After high school, he attended one year at Mesa College, studying Geology. He then joined the U.S. Navy in February, 1951. He trained and served as an Aviation Electronics Technician First Class for four years. He had a great aptitude for electronics and enjoyed the work he did while in the Navy. After his honorable discharge in 1955, he again attended Mesa College, taking pre-Engineering courses. During this time, he also worked for KREX Television in Grand Junction, Colorado. He graduated with an Associate of Science in 1957. While attending Mesa Junior College, he met fellow student Paula Kay Watkins, whom he described as "the prettiest girl I ever saw". She became the love of his life and they were married on May 4, 1957, in Grand Junction, Colorado. The young couple began their family in 1958 with the birth of Michael. Cheri was born 16 months later in 1959. The family grew in 1962 with the birth of Mark, and in 1964 their last child, Sandra, was born. In the fall of 1957, Irvin and Paula Kay moved to Boulder, Colorado. There Irvin attended the University of Colorado. While attending CU, he worked for the National Bureau of Standards, and, along with a friend, formed a company called Cryogenic Research. He earned a bachelor’s in Electrical Engineering in August 1959. Soon after graduation Irvin began his 31-year career as a Research Engineer with Marathon Oil Company. During this career, he authored or co-authored more than 25 patents. He said he had many jobs, all sitting behind the same desk. One of the major projects he worked on during his time at Marathon was developing instrumentation at a Marathon Refinery in Burghausen, Germany. The entire family lived there for two years. He really enjoyed the challenge of coming up with ways to accomplish what was needed. Irvin retired as a Senior Research Engineer in 1990. After retiring Irvin and Paula Kay moved back to his childhood home in Molina, Colorado. There he began his own business, Pinon Engineering, inspecting X-ray machines as required by the State of Colorado and designing residential septic systems. Irvin loved the Lord and felt it was very important to get God’s word out to everyone. He did his part in this as a member of Gideons International from 1974 through the remainder of his life. He also worked extensively with the local community. This included serving ten years on the Plateau Valley School Board, mentoring high school students in the robotics program, serving on the Bull Creek and Vega water boards, and being active in his church. The priorities in Irvin’s life were God, his wife, his family, church, and helping his community wherever he could. He leaves his beloved wife, Paula K.; son, Michael (Lori) of Maui, Hawaii; daughter, Cheri (Steve) Maher of Molina, Colorado; son, Mark Johnson of Mesa, Colorado; daughter, Sandy (Craig) Dubois of Grand Junction, Colorado; 13 grandchildren, and 14 great-grandchildren. Memorial contributions may be made to The Gideons International. Services will be held at the Plateau Valley High School auditorium, Collbran, Colorado, 56600 Highway 330, Saturday, February 2, 2019, 11:00 a.m. Graveside services following at Mesa Cemetery.
Grand Junction Daily Sentinel page 6A Death Notices - January 28, 2019
Irvin Dennis Johnson, 87, Mesa, died Jan. 17, 2019, at Larchwood Inn. Services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at Plateau Valley School. He was a research engineer. Survivors include his wife, Paula; two sons, Michael of Maui, Hawaii and Mark of Mesa; two daughters, Cheri Maher of Molina and Sandy Dubois of Grand Junction; 13 grandchildren; and 14 great-grandchildren. Memorial contributions to Giddeons International, P.O. Box 755, Clifton 81520. Dennis Johnson
Grand Junction Daily Sentinel page 6A Death Notices - January 29, 2019
Irvin Dennis Johnson, 87, Mesa, died Jan. 17, 2019, at Larchwood Inn. Services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at Plateau Valley School. Interment will follow at Mesa Molina Cemetery. He was a research engineer for Marathon Oil and Gas. Survivors include his wife, Paula; two sons, Michael of Maui, Hawaii, and Mark of Mesa; two daughters, Cheri Maher of Molina and Sandy Dubois of Grand Junction; 13 grandchildren; and 14 great-grandchildren. Memorial contributions to Giddeons International, P.O. Box 755, Clifton, 81520.
