Merlin Johnson

It is with very heavy hearts that the family of Merlin (Merl) Duncan Johnson announces his peaceful passing in the early morning of September 27, 2021 at Chinook Care Centre in Calgary. 

Merl was the son of Martha and Duncan Johnson. He was born in Lethbridge and later moved to Parksville, BC with his family in 1947. Merl resided in Parksville up until the time he married Mary Margaret Hickey with whom he had two children, Mary Ellen and Duncan.  Merl and Mary Marg moved to Kamloops prior to the children being born to live and raise their family. Merl worked at Weyerhaeuser for 37 years as a buyer and retired in 2002.  In 2004 he moved to Calgary to be closer to his children and grandchildren. 

Merl enjoyed fishing on Vancouver Island with family and fishing in Bella Coola, BC with his buddies.  In his younger years, he also enjoyed big game hunting.  Merl was an avid reader, and he kept a record of all of the novels he read. Baseball was another favorite pastime of Merl’s, and he was a huge Blue Jays fan.  He was a quiet man who kept to himself and enjoyed spending time with his family.  Merl was very proud of his children and grandchildren's accomplishments. 

He will be deeply missed by his daughter and son-in-law Mary Ellen and Art Larson, their children Reece and Aimee; his son and daughter-in-law Duncan and Marla Johnson, their children Charlie (Carolina) and Logan; and cherished friends Ken Smith (Gloria) of Maple Ridge, BC; Dave Beverage (Lynn) of Shuswap Lake, BC; and Neil Maki (Rhona) of Kamloops Lake, BC. Merl was predeceased by his parents Martha and Duncan Johnson, and his brother Fred Johnson. 

The family would like to thank Dr. Gail Ewasechko and all of those at the Chinook Care Centre who cared for our Dad/Merl on the Park Place West unit. 

A celebration of Merl's life will be held at a later date. If friends and family so desire, in lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Heart and Stroke Foundation.  

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Merlin Johnson, please visit our floral store.