Mr. & Mrs. A. M. Johnson 50th Wedding Anniversary

Arlan Myron Johnson, age 74, retired BMWE general chairman, died May 23, 2000, in Gresham, Oregon. Born on May 19, 1926, in Adams, North Dakota, Johnson moved to Oregon when he was eighteen years old.

During World War II, Johnson served in the U.S. Army Airforce, attaining the rank of staff sergeant.

On May 19, 1947, Johnson started working for the Northern Pacific Terminal Company (later the Portland Terminal Railroad) as a sectionman. In 1948 he was assigned as a carpenter in the B&B department.

Johnson also joined the BMWE in 1947 and a few years later served as Grievance Committee Chairman for Local Lodge 757. In 1955, Johnson petitioned the Grand Lodge to organize a new Lodge for the members who worked for the Northern Pacific Terminal. A charter was granted in the fall of that year for new Lodge 799 and Johnson was elected as its first president. Later he also held the offices of Grievance Committee Chairman, Secretary-Treasurer and Audit Committee Chairman.

In 1964 Johnson was elected as Secretary-Treasurer of the Executive Committee of the Union Pacific System Division and in 1973 he was elected chairman of that committee. Johnson served in Denver, Colorado as General Chairman from 1974 to 1980 and from 1984 until his retirement in 1986. He served as Assistant General Chairman from 1980 to 1984.

"General Chairman Johnson was the gentleman's gentleman," said Joe Larsen, First Vice General Chairman of the Union Pacific System Division. "No matter how nasty and inconsiderate things or people got, he always gave everyone the benefit of the doubt and was always kind and understanding. We called him the 'Teflon General Chairman' as a compliment because unjust and unwarranted criticism that comes with being the general chairman didn't stick. We did very well from an agreement standpoint and from the way the carrier treated the membership when he was our general chairman."

During his retirement years, Johnson enjoyed golfing, making bird houses, gardening and was very active in his church, Redeemer Lutheran.

Johnson is survived by his wife Gloria (Sandin) with whom he celebrated his 50th wedding anniversary on September 16, 1999, three daughters, Arlyn, Lisa and Tina, and a brother, Gene Stanislowski.