Berkley Raabe Johnson

Berkley Raabe Johnson was born to Glenn and Florence Johnson on September 26, 1930 at the family home in Oneida, Illinois. He was welcomed by his five-year old brother, Lowell. He attended school in Oneida and graduated from High School in1948. He was very athletic and excelled at basketball, playing not only in high school but also for four years at Knox College, Galesburg, Illinois. Upon graduating from Knox in 1952 he had to serve his deferred military service and spent the next two years at Fort Leonard Wood, MO. In 1954, after leaving the army, he returned to Oneida and was hired by Butler Manufacturing Company in Galesburg. He married his friend and love, Carolyn Asplund, in 1957. Together they were an incredible team. Working for Butler, they made homes in several cities. While living in Oneida, Laura, Jim and Carla were born. In 1963, the family moved to the Kansas City area and while living in Prairie Village, KS, Sara and Martha were born. In 1969, he was promoted to Plant Manager in Richmond, CA. He settled the family in San Rafael, CA. In 1971, Butler decided to move the manufacturing plant from Richmond and Berk was instrumental in selecting Visalia for the new facility. When the family moved to Visalia they were truly home. After moving to Visalia, being Lutheran, they were happy to find a new church home at Christ Lutheran Church. Berk was quick to get involved and served on the church council as well as serving as President of the council. In later years he served on the Board of Bethel Lutheran Home in Selma and The Meadows Senior Housing Board. Soon after moving to Visalia, he began serving on many community committees and boards. A few of the many were The Intercultural Coordinating Commission for the city of Visalia; President and Director for the YMCA; Director, Visalia Chamber of Commerce, Chairman of the Affirmative Action Advisory Committee for the City of Visalia; Director of Junior Achievement; Visalia Public Building Authority and most recently, the Measure N Oversight Committee. His innate ability to lead brought him to the attention of people who asked him to run for City Council. He was elected to the Visalia City Council in 1977, where he served his first term as Vice-Mayor. He was reelected in 1981 and proudly served as Mayor from 1981-85. After two terms, he decided not to seek reelection but in 1988 he was asked to return to fill the term of an outgoing council member. In 1991, after retiring from Butler he was appointed by Governor Wilson to fill a vacancy on the Tulare County Board of Supervisors. He was honored as Visalia's Man of the Year in 1992 by the Chamber of Commerce. Even in retirement and well into his 90s, he continued to champion community issues, never backing down from doing what he thought was right. Thoughtful and wise, his advice and counsel was continually sought out throughout the years. He was an avid reader and lifelong learner. A man of many interests, he particularly enjoyed music, sports and playing golf with two of his children. He was a member of the Visalia Country Club for 52 years. He is survived by his wife of 66 years, Carolyn, and his five children, Laura (Arnie-deceased) Duarte. Jim (Marti) Johnson, Carla (Brian) Price, Sara (Larry) Buenafe, and Martha Johnson; his adored grandchildren, Charlie, Lauren, Mitchell, Anna, and Berkley; their significant others, his greatgrandchildren and extended family. He is predeceased by his parents, brother, and son-in-law. It's hard to sum up the incredible life of a man of 93 years but the most important thing to him was his family. He was happiest when surrounded by all of them, which he was in the last weeks and hours of his life. He died peacefully at home on May 10, 2024. He leaves a legacy of serving as an extraordinary example of a life well lived and of creating a home that was filled with love, security, understanding and laughter that will be cherished by those that loved him forever. His Celebration of Life will be on Friday, June 7, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. at Christ Lutheran Church, 3830 West Tulare Avenue, Visalia, CA. Memorials can be made in Berkley's name to Christ Lutheran Church. Services have been entrusted to Salser & Dillard Funeral Chapel. Memorial Tributes and condolences may be offered by logging onto www.salseranddillard.com.

Berkley Raabe Johnson

September 26, 1930 - May 10, 2024