An Arcata Bottom dairyman at heart, Johnnie A. Avila, aged 87 years, has gone to be with the Lord and beloved love of his life, his wife Mary.

Dad was born February 19, 1935 to parents Mary and John Avila Sr., originally from Terceira, Azores.

Dad went to school at Bay School in the Arcata Bottoms, Dows Prairie School, and also attended school in Ferndale at a Quonset hut where he graduated with only two other students from grammar school. Dad’s family then moved to the Arcata Bottoms, where his parents bought a dairy farm on the corner of Bay School Road and Moxon Lane.

Dad plowed the fields by himself at the age of 15. He also had the job of delivering the milk cans to Gil’s Creamline Dairy. One unfortunate trip by horse and wagon found him wrecked in a ditch. The horse team took off with him and the wagon before wrecking, and at that point he told his father that he would no longer deliver the milk unless he could trade the horse team for a John Deere LA tractor. His father had no choice but to oblige.

Dad attended and graduated from Arcata High school. His favorite hobbies included running track and taking animals to the local fairs all while helping his father on the dairy farm.

He also loved cars, hot rodding around in a fixed-up show car that he and a friend worked on.

After graduating high school he worked at Rhodes Texaco, Manifolds service station and Lorenzos garage.

Dad met and eventually married Mary Anttila in 1958.

He started working at Safeway in the meat department, but his father was ill and that brought him back to the family farm.

Dad worked for his father for five years but when grandpa took over running the dairy again, mom and dad decided to move to Metropolitan in 1964 and start dairying in the area.

1964 proved to be a tough year as the following December brought the “Christmas Flood.” Buzz Chapman, dad and his trusty cow dog Diablo braved flood waters to save dads dairy cows. The boat they chose had a hole in it, but they saved every cow and even the bull leading them to higher ground. Dad was proud that he did not loose any dairy animals that day.

We lost our home and everything we owned as the flood waters took it down river but our lives and cows were spared, thanks to the help of Buzz Chapman and family. We never forgot their moral support and help that day, and our family has been forever indebted to the family.

A farm in the Arcata Bottoms became available for lease and eventually purchase. Coincidentally it was across the fields from grandma and grandpa’s dairy.

The 14-room home became home to five Avila children and with help from the Red Cross was filled with everything needed after the loss of everything they owned in the flood. The farm is located on Foster Avenue across from what was called the Simpson Mill and was formerly owned by the Minor family, who were farm, property, and mill owners in the area, and who the Minor theater was named after. The home and dairy barn still stand and are owned by his son Lance.

Shawn Avila, the youngest son, was hired to build mom and dad a new house at the end of the property.

After dairying on and off retiring and getting back into the business for about 40 years, it was time for dad to start up new hobbies like golfing, bowling, senior softball and bicycling around Arcata Bottoms.

He played for the Humboldt Classics, The Moose Club in Eureka, and joined a bowling team which led dad and mom to lots of games and tournaments all over the county and beyond.

Another passion of dads was his sports teams — the San Francisco Giants and 49ers football team, which he watched in person, on TV or listening through his trusty headphones that he always had on so he would not miss a game or play!

Dad was proud of his Portuguese heritage. He loved attending and donating to the local celebrations and realized his dream of visiting his parents homeland with a trip to Terceira, Azores in 2019 with his three daughters and grandson Justin.

Being a dairyman, he was always up early to start the day with coffee and could start a conversation with anyone anywhere.

Dad was a very hard worker, something he instilled into each of his children and we were better for it.

Dad and mom traveled everywhere including a trip to Cambodia to visit lifelong friends. Other travels took them to Reno, Vegas, Hawaii and visits to friends, family, grandkids and great-grandchildren.

They never missed a birthday or celebration and spent many good times with family and grandkids always making them feel special and loved.

Dad took loving care of mom when she became ill, taking care of every need she had and doing all the household chores including cooking and cleaning for them both till her passing in 2018.

When mom passed, dad lost a part of himself with her as he loved her dearly and his heart was broken.

He spent time after mom died enjoying time with children and grandchildren, including great-grandchildren, but was always awaiting the time he could join his wife in heaven.

Dads favorite word was “enjoy.”

He reminded us daily to enjoy life with family and friends wether it be camping, traveling, or a simple picnic in a park like we used to do as a family every week.

Johnnie is preceded in death by his parents John & Mary Avila Sr. and sister Lena.

He is survived by his children: Coleen (Avila) Wogoman , Renee (Avila) Ewing, Lance Avila, Jonene (Avila) Rocha and Shawn Avila. Grandchildren: Cody & Justin Ewing, Brandon & Collin Wogoman, Lexi, Sydni and Cooper Avila , and Cameron Avila . Great-grandchildren: Lane & Cole Ewing and Aria Wogoman .

The family would like to thank Bristol Hospice of Redding and the staff and caregivers at A Brand New Day facility in Redding for caring for and loving our father in the last months of his life.

He loved the staff, and they loved him just as much and was known by one of the gals there as “My handsome man.”

Services will be held beginning with a rosary on March 10, 7 p.m. at Paul’s Chapel in Arcata .

A mass and celebration of life will be held at St.Mary’s Church Arcata on March 11 starting with refreshments at 11 a.m. and services at 12 p.m. He will be interred at St. Mary’s Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the Red Cross of Humboldt County, the Eureka Moose Lodge, Humboldt Classics Senior Softball Association, or make a donation in dads memory to the Ferndale lighted Tractor parade with a perpetual award going to a lighted John Deere tractor entry each year in his honor.