Obituary of Lawrin Henry Johnson

In Loving Memory of Lawrin Henry Johnson
April 6, 1935 – March 24, 2025

With hearts both heavy and grateful, we announce the passing of Lawrin Henry Johnson, a beloved husband, father, grandfather, and steward of the land. Lawrin was born to Ezra and Nettie Johnson on April 6, 1935, and was raised alongside his three brothers and four sisters, shaping a life deeply rooted in faith, family, and the enduring traditions of ranching.

At the young age of 17, Lawrin married the love of his life, Jeanette K. Smith, on July 20, 1952. Together, they built a life centered on hard work, love, and an unwavering commitment to family. Their union was blessed with four children: Lonnie D. Johnson, Barton G. Johnson, Lorana K. Stark, and Sharon D. Johnson, who, in turn, gifted him the joy of 16 grandchildren, 44 great-grandchildren, and 8 great-great-grandchildren—a legacy as vast and enduring as the land he cherished.

A lifelong cattleman, Lawrin dedicated himself to ranching, earning the respect and admiration of his peers. In January of this year, he was honored as Butte County Cattleman of the Year, a fitting tribute to a life spent tending both the land and the relationships that made it flourish. His hands bore the marks of honest labor, his wisdom guided generations, and his stories wove together the fabric of a community he loved so dearly.

Though he now rests, his spirit lives on in the rolling pastures he walked, the lessons he passed down, and the deep love he poured into his family. His legacy is not just in the cattle he raised, but in the integrity, kindness, and strength he instilled in those who knew him.

A Celebration of Lawrin’s Life will be held at the Family Ranch on Saturday, April 5th, at 1pm. Food, dessert and water bottles WILL be provided. If you’d like anything to drink, alcohol/ sodas, etc., it is Bring Your Own Beverage/ice chests.

May the sun always rise over his pastures, and may he find peace in the fields of eternity.