Richard Donald (Dick) Johnson, longtime Morrow County resident, passed away in Kennewick, Wash. at Columbia Crossing Memory Care on Feb. 13, 2023 at the age of 79.
Dick was born on Nov. 8, 1943 in Pendleton to Hobart (Stubby) Johnson and Mary Ann Cargill Johnson.
He attended St. Joseph’s Academy and graduated from Pendleton High School. He lived on Big Butter Creek, where he was a caretaker at Vey Ranches until 2004 when he moved to Hermiston and built up a little place of his own on Rayton Lane, where he raised a few head of longhorns each year. He trained trial dogs, raised sheep, and had amazing skills with horses. Dick brought Katahdin hair sheep to Big Butter Creek years ago. He would always make sourdough biscuits to share with all the kids at the ranch. Dick liked kids and helped several of them with animal projects they had. He could be seen hauling horses to parades and rodeos, always ready to get them there on time and looking good.
Dick is survived by his sister, Beverly McCloud; nephews, Randy Tachella and Casey Anderson; and niece, Malissia Markham.
Dick was preceded in death by his parents; son, Zeb Johnson; sisters, Rita Johnson, Elaine Urban and Mary Ella Hoffman; and a nephew, Bill Tachella.
At his request, there will be no service.
Please share memories of Dick with his family at burnsmortuaryhermiston.com.
Burns Mortuary of Hermiston is in care of arrangements.
