Melvin Clarence Johnson

Melvin C. Johnson, age 89, passed away peacefully on Monday, March 2, 2020. He was born Sunday, December 28, 1930, in Sumner County, Kansas, to Edwin and Edna Johnson. He grew up on the family farm. After graduating high school, he proudly served in the U.S. Army, in El Paso, Texas. Then he moved to Chicago to study engineering. Sandia National Laboratories recruited him, and he moved his growing family to Albuquerque, New Mexico in 1957. Melvin was especially proud of his work gathering data in the design-test facilities such as rocket sled tracks (where rockets pushed experiments down the track up to Mach 2). He enjoyed his work so much that after he retired, he worked as a consultant for several years. Eventually, he yearned to return to his hometown, Caldwell, Kansas. These last years, with family and friends, were good happy years. He drove people to appointments, volunteered at the hospital, and enjoyed noon meals with his friends at the senior center.

Melvin's dream career was to be a farmer. His best days were working in the fields. His favorite vacation was helping with the harvest. While his mind was on the farm, Melvin's heart was with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. In Albuquerque, he spent Saturday mornings witnessing and searching for children who wanted to attend church. On Sunday mornings, he drove a blue school bus around town picking up these children. In Caldwell, he would take the church bulletin around to people who were unable to make it to church. Melvin attended the Corbin United Methodist Church. He served in many roles. He was on the Staff Parish Relations Committee (SPRC). He was the Corbin UMC Lay Member to the Annual Conference for several years. He helped with the sound system and spearheaded the design and purchase of Corbin UMC branded products. He always had a pen to share.

Melvin was preceded in death by his parents, and sister, Thelma.

He is survived by his brother, Clifford (Marty); his six children, Vernon (Irma), Kae, Bruce (Els), Nicole (Stephen), Wendy (Johnny), and Lorna; his 16 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.

Donations can be sent to Corbin United Methodist Church, 110 W Central Ave, Caldwell, KS 67022-1408, or to the Memory Café (a support group for families with a loved one suffering from dementia), make checks out to Mesa View United Methodist Church, 4701 Montano Rd NW, Albuquerque, NM 87120 (with comment “the donation is for Memory Café).

A Viewing will be held on Monday, March 9, 2020, 11:00 a.m. at FRENCH- University, followed by A Service at 12:30 p.m. with interment to follow at Sunset Memorial Park.