Leland Marvin Johnson, 66

Leland Marvin Johnson, 66, passed away in Cocolalla, Idaho, on Friday, Jan., 2, 2009, in an accident.

Funeral services will be conducted at 11 a.m., Saturday, Jan. 10, in the Sandpoint First Christian Church. Pastor Barry Johnson will be officiating and interment will be in Pinecrest Memorial Park.

Calling hours will be on Friday, Jan. 9, from noon until 6 p.m. at Coffelt Funeral Service in Sandpoint, Idaho.

Leland was born, in Sandpoint, on Aug. 31, 1942; he was one of three children of Marvin and Alberta Johnson. He attended school, at the old schoolhouse, in Cocolalla until the fifth grade and graduated from Sandpoint High School in 1961. He joined the U.S. Army in 1961 serving in Korea for one and a half years. He trained as a communication lineman and finished his tour at Fort Lewis, Wash., in 1964.

While in the Army he married his high school sweetheart, Vickie Erickson on Oct. 31, 1963. He worked for General Telephone for 13 years. They had two wonderful sons, Russell and Eric Johnson. He moved his family to Alaska, where he worked for Anchorage Telephone Utilities for another 13 years.

He enjoyed fishing, hunting and all that Alaska wilderness had to offer. He was accompanied on many of these excursions with his special friend George Wallace. He returned to Cocolalla several times a year to work with his dad on the Christmas Tree Farm.

Leland and Vickie moved back to Cocolalla in June 1991, where he retired from the telephone company at age 48 and continued to work on the tree farm until about three years ago when finally "retired." After retirement, Leland and Vickie went out on another adventure. In 1999 they went from one coast to another doing "hot shot" trucking, making long hauls.

On Oct. 9, 2008, his mother, Alberta Johnson passed away at 90 years of age. Leland was extremely dedicated to his family and friends. He could not give enough to others. Although he was always on the go, he made time to help a friend in need. He was loved by so many people.

Leland was a lifetime member of the VFW, IBEW Local No. 89 out of Everett, Wash.; he is a past president of the Inland Empire Christmas Tree Association; Past President of the J & R Water Association, and a member of the Cocolalla Community Hall.

Leland is survived by his wife, Vickie, of 45 years; son, Russell (Deanna) of San Diego, Calif.; son, Eric (Arin) of Cocolalla; a granddaughter, Elizabeth Johnson of San Diego, Calif.; father, Marvin Johnson of Cocolalla; sister, Lois and Mason Chapin of Cocolalla; sister, Kathleen Johnson; and many nieces and nephews.

Family and friends are invited to sign Leland's online guest book at www.coffeltfuneral.com.

Arrangements are entrusted to the care of Coffelt Funeral Service.