Raymond Johnson, 81, died Wednesday, March 26, 2003 at his home in Thief River Falls, MN.

Funeral service will be 10:30 A.M. on Saturday, March 29, 2003 at the Johnson-Green Funeral Home in Thief River Falls, MN with Reverend Dan Horn officiating. Burial will be in Greenwood Cemetery, Thief River Falls, MN.

Visitation will be from 4:00 P.M. to 7:00 P.M. on Friday, March 28, 2003 at the Johnson-Green Funeral Home in Thief River Falls with a 6:30 P.M. prayer on Friday evening and at the Funeral home one hour prior to services on Saturday.

Raymond Donald Johnson was born September 14, 1921 in Thief River Falls, MN, the son of Carlie and Olivia (Olson) Johnson. He was baptized into the Lutheran faith on January 25, 1922 in Thief River Falls. He attended school in Thief River Falls, graduating from Lincoln High School on June 2, 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 the B-24 planes. He was Honorably Discharged on January 4, 1946.

On July 17, 1942, Raymond was united in marriage to Mary Mayer-Oakes in Kent, OH. The couple owned and operated the Soo Caf in Thief River Falls, MN for seven years, with his brother, Gordon. In 1950 they started the Western Auto Store and also purchased the Sportsmans Store from Fred Wengler, and sold the Soo Caf. They bought Hub Clothing, then moved the Western Auto Store and Hub Clothing to the Elks Building. In 1967 they sold the store to Irv Wilson. Mary and Raymond moved to Fridley, MN in 1967. Raymond worked at the University of Minnesota Hospital as an Operating Engineer, retiring with over 20 years of service. They 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.

He was a member of the VFW and a former member of the Elks.

Raymond is survived by three sons: Gary Michael (Linda), Bemidji, MN, Stanley Dean (Rebecca), Coon Rapids, MN and Raymond Dale (Debra), Brooklyn Park, MN; grandchildren, Brian, Bonnie, Caitlin and Kyle Johnson; special friend, Hazel Cloutier of Thief River Falls, MN; and one nephew, Robert Johnson of Blaine, MN.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Mary; brother, Gordon, on November 12, 2002 and his parents.

Memorial are preferred to the American Cancer Society.