Gerald Raymond Johnson, beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and friend, passed away peacefully at his home in Tyhee, Idaho on May 2, 2019. Gerald was born May 20, 1930 to S. Albert Johnson and Berniece Margrete Ziehr in David City, Nebraska. Gerald was introduced to farm work at an early age on the family farm in David City, feeding pigs, horses, cows, and sheep, gathering eggs, milking cows and working in the fields raising crops.
He, along with his older and younger brother, were active in 4-H. In 1945, his family moved to Pocatello, Idaho and began farming in the Tyhee community. Gerald graduated from Pocatello High School in 1947.
He met the love of his life, Hilvia Ellis, on the school bus when he was a high school sophomore. When he first saw her, he thought she was the prettiest girl he had ever seen. They were married 68 years ago, May 24, 1951.
In 1956 they purchased a 45-foot mobile home and moved onto the east bench of Tyhee, blazing a successful farming and ranching career. Gerald was innovative in agriculture early in his career. He introduced sprinkler irrigation on the east bench, operated a Black Angus cow/calf operation and later created a Harvstore feedlot that fed up to 2000 cows.
During this time, he partnered with Karl Loveland in a large sheep operation. Gerald raised hay, sugar beets, wheat, and potatoes. Many young men had their first job with Gerald, moving pipe on his farming operation.
Among many things, Gerald was known for his fairness, integrity, and well-run operations. In 1998 he was honored to be inducted in the Agriculture Hall of Fame. As part of his community-mindedness, he was a member of the Eastern Idaho Fair board for 23 years, the last few years serving as President.
In 2001 he was selected to serve as the Co-Grand Marshall of the Eastern Idaho Fair parade. Even though Gerald has been semi-retired for the past few years, he continued to work with his sons, Gary and Russell, especially enjoying grain and potato harvest each year and was known to often be the first one out to work in the morning. Above all, the best crop he raised was his family.
He was a kind and loving husband, father, and grandfather. He loved to have fun. He worked hard and played hard.
He is survived by his wife, Hilvia, 3 sons: Gary (Peggy), Doug (Sue), Russell (Joan), 11 grandchildren, 18 great-grandchildren, 1 great-great-granddaughter; and brother: Edward (Donna). Services will be held 2pm on Saturday, May 4, 2019 at the Tyhee 44th Ward Chapel, US Highway 91. A viewing will be held prior to the services from 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. Interment will be at Mountain View Cemetery following the services.
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