JOHNSON, Wayne Calvin

The Wickenburg Sun, Wickenburg, AZ December 13, 2000, p. A8 Wayne Calvin Johnson of Wickenburg, passed away on Dec. 8. He was 61. He was born in Wisconsin Rapids, Wisc., on May 13, 1939 to Lewis and Alma Johnson. He grew up in the Wisconsin Rapids area, attending Lincoln High School. Wayne married Gloria Jean Paddock, also of Wisconsin Rapids, on Jan. 3, 1959. Together they raised four children, all born in Wisconsin, and until 1977 resided in Whitewater, where Wayne worked for Hawthorne Melody Dairy for 11 years before relocating his family to the Southwest. In October 1977, the Johnson family pulled into Wickenburg and claimed it as their home. In December of 1978, Wayne and Gloria were joined in Wickenburg by Gloria's sister, Vel, and her husband, Jim Sass, and a 23-year bond quickly grew between the two brothers-in-law. Wayne and his partner Jim were inseparable for over 10 years in their in their adventures in the desert, prospecting and mining many areas of the surrounding mountains for gold, silver, copper and other minerals. They shared thousands of hours together, learning and discovering and enjoying the desert and building mining equipment, drilling and blasting, and simply exploring the old mines and learning their histories. Wayne's most precious attribute was his intense love for and belief in the strength of a close and supportive family, a belief that he consistently stressed to all of his children. There was always room for one more person at his table, and a place to rest in his home when the need arose. Wayne was preceded in death by his father, Lewis, in 1988, and a son, David, in 1999. He is survived by his mother, Alma; wife, Gloria; sons Dean and Chris; daughter-in-law Tami Lee; son-in-law Randy Lee; daughter-in-law Cindy Jensen; sisters-in-law Vel Sass, Audrey Warner, Joan Rice and Donna Paddock; brothers-in-law Jim Sass, Bob Warner and Jim Paddock; grandchildren Melissa, Kari Ryan, Sarah, Ruth, Shaun, Aaron, Angela, Jessie and Levi; seven great-grandchildren; one great-great granddaughter, Masada; and 16 nieces and nephews. Among Wayne's special friends are his childhood buddies Jim Snyder and Don Mehlbrech of Wisconsin, and longtime friend John Baumgardner of Wickenburg. Wayne will be sadly missed by family and friends. Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 11 at the Wickenburg Funeral home on Adams Street. There will be a visitation from 10-11 a.m. for those who would like to attend. Guests are invited to join the family at the Sasses IHAVNO Ranch on Rincon Road, following the services for lunch and fellowship.