Armas Aleski Johnson

Armas Aleski Johnson
Gunsmith, 89 of Hammond, died Friday, Aug. 20, 2010 in Astoria.

He was born July 3, 1921, in PieLavesi, Finland, to Emil and Hilja Maria Mykkanen Johnson.

He came to the United States with his family from Finland at a young age, settling first in Garibaldi. His family moved to the Woodson area, and he graduated from Westport High School. He was a machinist with Boeing from 1941 to 1942. He then enlisted into the U.S. Navy and served from July 1942 to December 1945.

He married Ima M. Gilkison July 31, 1944 in Hutchinson, Kan. She preceded him in death Jan. 27, 1996.

The couple settled in Hammond in 1948. Mr. Johnson worked in the aircraft business with Wilt Paulsen at the Clatsop County Airport for 16 years. He then worked for various machine shops in the county before starting his own gunsmith business at his home. His hobbies included hunting and reading technical manuals. He spent 34 years on local and regional school boards in Warrenton and Hammond and with the Clatsop County Intermediate Education District.

Mr. Johnson is survived by two sons and one daughter-in-law Terry Johnson of Clackamas, and Mike and Judy Johnson of Hammond; one grandson, Chris Johnson of Hammond; one brother and sister-in-law, Eino and Anikki Johnson of Astoria; two sisters, Elsa Simonsen of Sheridan ands Ann Shetlan of Tacoma, Wash.; and two cousins, Eila Kynsi of Clatskanie and Enni Moisio of Tacoma.

A graveside service with military honors will be held at 1 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 26, 2010 at Ocean View Cemetery in Warrenton.

Following the service, a potluck reception will be held at Camp Rilea, Building No. 7022 Post Headquarters Auditorium Room, 33194 Patriot Way, Warrenton.

Memorial Contributions may be made to the Shriners Hospital or to Clatsop Care Center in care of Caldwell's Luce-Layton Mortuary, 576 12th St., Astoria, OR 97103.