Ralph E. Johnson

Ralph Everette Johnson was born on March 2, 1938, in Edmonton, Alberta. He passed away on June 17, 2025.  His parents were Axel G. Johnson and Beda Rebecca Johnson.  Ralph had four brothers and one sister. 

    Ralph attended Prairie College Country School in Davidson, SK, for grades one through 10, and then attended Luther College in Regina, for grades eleven and twelve. After graduating, he took a welding course and worked on building the cement tunnels of the Saskatchewan River Dam. 

    Ralph met Maureen in Davidson, SK, where she was a schoolteacher.  They married on July 24,1965, in Foam Lake, SK. They resided in Davidson and Bladworth, SK, before moving to Clearwater B.C. in 1969.  In July of that year, Ralph started working at Clearwater Timber Products.  The company was later bought out by Slocan Forest Products and moved to Vavenby, B.C.  Ralph worked as a lumber grader and saw filler for 30 years. 

    Ralph and Maureen purchased 60 acres north of Clearwater and it was here they raised their two children, Karen Lynn, and Wendell Logan.  Ralph loved his hobby farm on 688 Greer Road.  He raised Jersey cows, a herd of sheep, pigs, geese, chickens and his llama “Babe”!

    VE7 EKP was Ralph’s call sign for Amateur Radio, and was pleased to do communications for many ski loppets, as well as the Canadian Luge Race in Blue River, B.C. He welded the comshell for the Amateur Radio Repeater and it still stands on the Lower Raft Mountain in Clearwater, B.C. Joining Maureen in 1999 in Preeceville, SK. he enjoyed working with her at the flower shop, “Country Lane Florist”.

    In his retirement, Ralph enjoyed his garden and birds. He loved teaching his granddaughters how to make snow forts or the perfect fried egg and how to fill his birdfeeders. In the summer, he enjoyed sitting on the shore of Lady Lake, watching Jainylle and Myrandah swim. In the winter, he could be found sitting in the top row of the Sturgis Skating Arena with his orange toque on, watching Jainylle and Myrandah skate.

    Ralph was a strong NDP supporter, and was very active in politics. You would often see him being a scrutineer at the provincial and federal elections, as well as attending conventions. 

    Ralph in survived by his wife of almost 60 years, Maureen; his daughter, Karen; his son, Wendell; his six grandchildren, Samantha, Kyah, Sydney, Jainylle, Myrandah and Kasha; his sister-in-law, Peggy as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

    He was predeceased by his parents, Axel and Beda Johnson as well as his brothers, Ernest (Helen), George (Margridt), Roy, Earl (Lila, Olga, Hazel) and his sister, Ruth (William) Foster.