Lavon M. 'Bud' Johnson, 80

Lavon M. "Bud" Johnson, 80, of Missoula died peacefully in his sleep Sunday, June 12, 2005, in Kalispell.

Bud was born in Mayville, N.D., on May 5, 1925, to Lillian and Alfred Johnson. He grew up in Minnesota with his seven brothers and sisters.

He joined the Navy at 17 and was an aviation radio operator during World War II.

He worked for Soo Line Railroad in Minneapolis/St. Paul and was also a deputy sheriff for Hennepin County.

Bud married Norma Johnson and they had five children. They were divorced in 1962, and Norma passed away in 1997.

In 1961, Bud moved his family to Montana where he worked for the Van-Evans Co. in Missoula as head electrician.

Bud married Glenda O'Conner on April 7, 1968, in Las Vegas. They lived in Florence where they raised eight children together. They moved to Portland for a brief time where he worked as an electrician for the city. They moved back to Montana and stayed mostly in the Florence area where he was employed by City Electric in Malta until 2002, then moved to Missoula.

Bud was known for wearing "wild colored" western shirts and his black cowboy hat. He loved his little Yorkies and the Minnesota Vikings football team.

In his spare time he loved to hunt, fish, bowl and play softball. He also was very fond of his 1960s vintage T-birds, but may be remembered most by some for his love of telling jokes and playing jokes on people.

Survivors include his children, Linda Powell of Kalispell, Kathy Tallent and Kerry Everson, both of Florence, Dan Johnson and Mark O'Connor, both of Missoula, Pam Drogitis of Bonner, and Sherri Odlin of Missoula; 10 grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; two sisters; and one brother; several nieces, nephews, and many friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; son, Chris Johnson; wife, Glenda Johnson; and three grandsons.

"We love you very much Dad, you made such a difference in all our lives. Thank you."

Memorial services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, June 18, at Sunset Memorial Funeral Home in Missoula. Urn placement will be afterward at the mausoleum at Sunset Memorial Cemetery. A potluck reception will be afterward in the funeral home's community room.

Buffalo Hill Funeral Home and Crematory is caring for the family.