Perry Johnson

Perry Bruce Johnson, 88, died March 25, 2008, at his home in Wasilla.

A memorial service is set for 11 a.m. March 29 at the Wasilla Bible Church, 1651 W. Nicola Ave. Pastor Jim Eller will officiate. Burial will take place at 11 a.m. March 31 at Ft. Richardson National Cemetery with military honors.

Johnson was born July 9, 1919, in Dickens, Iowa. He earned his Bachelor of Science degree in elementary education from Lewis and Clark College in Portland, Ore., on June 6, 1954, and his Master of Science in school administration from Utah State University in June 1957.

He served in the  U.S. Navy from April 6, 1938, to Aug. 2, 1945, receiving his honorable discharge as chief petty officer (master at arms) and the Purple Heart for Injuries suffered in the Japanese sinking of the USS Quincy at Guadal Canal on Aug. 9, 1942.

Johnson came to Alaska in 1969 with his wife, the former Edna Margaret Clisset, whom he married Oct. 4, 1942, living in Homer from June 1969 to June 1970 and then Wasilla until his death.

He worked as a teacher in Antioch, Calif., in 1954, a teaching principal in Hilt, Calif., from 1955 to 1956, elementary school principal in Finn Rock, Ore., from 1957 to 1963, IED superintendent in Coquille from 1963 to 1965 in Klamath Falls, Ore., superintendent of Klamath Falls Co. School District from 1965 to 1968, vocational director of Grants Pass, Ore., in 1968, area director of Homer School District in 1969, elementary principal in Wasilla in 1970, assistant superintendent at the Mat-Su Borough School District from 1970 to 1979, and he worked at Dusty’s Restaurant from 1979 to 1986. Johnson retired from the Mat-Su Borough School District in 1979 and was a member of the Wasilla First Baptist Church and Wasilla Bible Church.

“Our father, Perry B. Johnson, dedicated his life to educating children and was committed to living a life based on Christian values,” his family wrote. “He was a man of integrity who impacted the lives of others with his honesty and truthfulness. He genuinely cared about his family, students, teachers and parents. Dad leaves a legacy of love and laughter filled with rich memories. We have been blessed beyond measure to have him as our father and offer this tribute to a great man.”

He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Edna, of Wasilla; daughter, Nancy Johnson-Lynch of Tumwater, Wash.; son, Wayne Johnson of Albany, Ore.; daughter, Joyce McPherson of Ellensburg, Wash.; sons, Kirk Johnson of Klamath Falls, Ore., and Todd and Kevin Johnson, both of Wasilla; 16 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by a brother, Percy Johnson, and sister, Val Griggs.

Valley Funeral Homes and Crematory of Wasilla and Palmer is assisting the family.