ERIC JOHNSON

1947 - 2013

Cecil Eric Johnson, beloved husband and best friend of Bonnie Johnson (nee Odland), passed away peacefully in Taber on Tuesday, January 29, 2013 following more than a year of treatment for a rare cancer. He was 65 years of age.
Relatives and friends were invited to meet with the family at the church prior to the funeral service on Friday, February 1, 2013 between 1:00 P.M. and 1:40 P.M.
The Funeral Service was held at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Taber Stake Centre, 4709 - 50 Avenue, Taber on Friday, February 1, 2013 at 2:00 P.M. with Bishop Chris Ward conducting. Burial followed at the Taber Memorial Garden.
Besides his loving wife Bonnie, Eric is survived by his mother Olive Johnson of Taber; sons Aaron (Rachel) Johnson of Edmonton, Michael (Leela) Johnson of Edmonton and Tim (Tabitha) Johnson of Taber; Bonnie’s children Bob (Joan) Hall of Lethbridge, Mitchell Hall of Toronto and Trina (Andrew) Gordon of the Cayman Islands and many wonderful grandchildren. He is also survived by his sister Cecily Nelson; brothers Murray (Virginia) Johnson, Graham (Lyn) Johnson and Jim (Ellie) Tatoosh.
He was predeceased by his father Cecil.
Eric was born November 27, 1947 in Taber, the first son of Cecil and Olive (nee Hall) Johnson. He received his education degrees from the University of Lethbridge and San Diego State University. He was a prominent educator, giving many years of service as a teacher, vice principal, principal and a superintendent of the Horizon School Division. Eric’s decades of excellence in this service were recognized recently when a new board room in the division office was name the Eric Johnson Room. His personal philosophy was that “kids” came first in all decisions. Many individual lives were touched by Eric’s positive attitude and fun loving sense of humour, exhibited by his motto of “keen sense, common sense and still room for nonsense.” Even after his retirement he served as a principal, accepted other assignments for the Horizon School Division and was an instructor for the pre-apprenticeship program with Community Adult Learning.
Eric had a passion for collecting and refinishing antique furniture, raising pheasants, gardening, hunting, fishing and camping. He enjoyed building several homes in the Taber area. Eric and Bonnie were golfing partners and they challenged close friends to many games. One of his greatest pleasures was being an adoring “Papa” to his and Bonnie’s grandchildren.