Obituary

Charles Patrick Johnson was born April 7, 1926 at the lovely Keitges’ home east of Elk Point. His parents, Tom and Kathleen Johnson, were en route to the hospital in Elk Point, travelling by horse and buggy, but time ran out. Mrs. Keitges acted as midwife and kindly helped them out. After spending most of his 85 years in the area, Pat passed away in the Elk Point hospital on September 27, 2011.

Pat grew up on the family farm near Lindbergh, Alberta. He walked to a one-room school for grades one to eight, then completed high school at a two-room Elk Point High School. He went on to take a welding and mechanics course in Calgary. Spare hours were spent with his two brothers and two sisters, helping out with the work of the farm. The family all grieved the loss of little brother Tommy who died at 4 years of age. His parents, sisters Sue and Marion, and brother Fred were left to carry on.

Pat never liked to be tied to a routine and his heart was not in livestock farming. He was much more interested in machinery and was a real Mr. Fix-It. Making some old machine work again always gave him much satisfaction. After the farm was sold to George and Dianne Anderson, Pat worked in local machine shops, driving and repairing school buses.

Never seeking fame or fortune, Pat lived a private and very humble life. He never got caught up in collecting material stuff, or the hustle and bustle of keeping up with the world around him. He loved learning about the history of the area, and was very much a part of that story. Canoeing was his favourite recreation; paddling many rivers and logging untold hours canoeing alone and with others. He enjoyed the solitude and the chance to witness nature undisturbed along the river banks, trying to capture some of it in his photographs. Pat sought out people who shared his interest in the preservation of the history of the area, and very much appreciated those friendships. He was active in scouting, school recreation programs, and in the Friends of Fort George and Buckingham House. He was often at the St. Paul Swimming pool and the A&W. He became a primary source of local history for many people.

After moving into Heritage Lodge, Pat found friends who had stories to tell and who listened to his memories. His family is grateful for the care and comfort that the staff at the Lodge and the hospital provided. Pat was predeceased by his parents; his sister, Sue; two brothers, Tommy and Fred; and his brother-in-law, Allan Hanna. He is survived by one sister, Marion Hanna of Picture Butte; 4 nephews, Dave (Karen), Don (Sharon), Mark (Holly) & Wade (Karen); 1 niece, Laurel (Greg) Van Vaerenbergh; and all their families.

A Celebration of Pat’s Life will be held on Saturday, October 15 at 1:30 p.m. at the Fort George Buckingham House Interpretive Centre, Elk Point. Please join family and friends in this remembrance event.

GRACE GARDENS FUNERAL CHAPEL, Box 1780, St. Paul, AB (780) 645-2677