Tributes

Gordon Wilbur Johnson was welcomed into the presence of his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Friday, May 6, 2022 in Turlock, California. Gordon was born on June 4, 1930 in Lemon Grove, CA to G.A. and Olga Johnson. He spent his childhood and teen years in Oregon and graduated from Burns High School in 1948. He joined the Navy and served his country. After graduating from Lewis and Clark College, he went on to receive his Masters of Religious Education at Fuller Seminary in Pasadena, CA in 1961. Gordon met and married the love of his life, Kathy Corley on September 7, 1956. They were married for 37 years before Kathy’s death in January 1994. Gordon loved his wife and children and sought to be an example of love, generosity, godliness, servanthood and faithful support for each one throughout his life. Gordon was proceeded in death by his sons Larry and Andrew. He is survived by his daughter Kimberlie (Glenn) Irwin and son Paul (Jenny) as well as his grandchildren Bethany, Elisa and Andrew Johnson and Weston (Katelyn), Spencer and Allison Irwin and great-grandson Mason Irwin. Gordon is also survived by his wife Priscilla Johnson. During his life Gordon served as youth pastor at Altadena Baptist Church and as Senior Pastor at churches in Sun Valley, Glen Ellen, and Sonoma, CA. He also served as assistant pastor to senior adults at Calvary Baptist Church in Turlock. Gordon believed in God’s grace and the power of the Gospel of Jesus Christ to transform lives. He dedicated his life to helping others put their faith in Christ for salvation and live to obey and follow Jesus. His life, commitment and example positively impacted hundreds of people of all ages and backgrounds for Christ’s sake! Gordon is laid to rest at the Turlock Memorial Park. If you were able to sit down and talk with Gordon today, he’d want you to understand these amazing truths that shaped his life and guaranteed eternal life for him in heaven. First, he’d want you to know there is “bad news”: (1) Every person is a sinner and fails throughout their life to live up to God’s perfect will (Romans 3:23). (2) Because we are all sinners, we deserve to be separated from God forever when we die (Romans 6:23). But Gordon would enthusiastically want you to also know there’s “good (great) news”: (1) Jesus paid the penalty that you and I deserve to forgive our sin. He died on the cross in our place, taking the divine judgment we deserve, and he rose from the grave to prove his promises of forgiveness and eternal life are true (Romans 5:8)! (2) You can be forgiven of your sins right now by trusting in Jesus alone to save you! By trusting in Christ, you receive God’s free gift of forgiveness, salvation and eternal life (Ephesians 2:8-9). If you have not trusted in Christ and what he did for you on the cross, nothing would make Gordon happier than if you did so right now! Gordon wants you to join him in heaven by depending only on Jesus and his death in your place to pay for every one of your sins. Would you like to tell God you are trusting only in Jesus Christ as your Savior? You can do so right now! However, it isn’t a prayer or the reciting of certain words that saves a person. It is a firm decision to trust and depend on Jesus Christ alone, who died in your place and paid the penalty for your sins, that saves you. Here is a way you can express your dependance on Christ alone to receive his free gift of salvation. “Dear God, I know I’m a sinner. I know my sin deserves to be punished. I believe Christ died for me, in my place, and rose alive from the grave. I trust Jesus Christ alone as my Savior. Thank you for the forgiveness and everlasting life I now have. In Jesus’ name. Amen.” If you said this prayer and have given your life to God, please say “hello” to Gordon when you enter heaven for eternity.

Tributes

Gordon Wilbur Johnson

June 4, 1930 - May 6, 2022