Robert “Buz” Stanley Johnson
July 7, 1944 - June 20, 2023

It is with a heavy heart that we announce the passing of Robert ”Buz” Stanley Johnson, who entered this world on July 7,1944 and departed from us on June 20,2023.

Buz was born to George and Annie Lena Johnson of Manila,California. His nickname Buz began shortly after crawling — he would make a buzzing sound and was quick, so a nickname after the Buzz Bomb from WWII fit him perfectly.

Buz has a long family history in Humboldt and Mendocino Counties dating back to the mid 1800s. He was a tribal member of Round Valley Indian Tribes, registered Wailaki.

He enjoyed his career in the logging industry. A majority of those years he spent driving logging trucks for Wayne Bare Trucking — beginning in 1974, retiring in 2011. He enjoyed his time there and the friendships he had made.

As a lifelong resident of Humboldt County, he spent as much time as possible outdoors: fishing, hunting and clamming. He could tell you with ease the type of birds, trees or fish that happen to be nearby. He was happiest with his friends, out on a river, the bay or the ocean, or hunting.

A drive through town could take a bit long, as he would list the names of local families and businesses that had once occupied the area, he’d have to wave at all passersby and ask everyone “How’s it goin’?” before moving on his way.

Buz was preceded in death by his parents: George Cameron Johnson and Annie Lena (Parker) Johnson, as well as his sister Kathleen (Johnson) Koskela, and niece Robin Ann Bain.

He is survived by his nieces and nephew Erika, Leah and Atias (as well as their children). He enjoyed his time as a father figure to Vaness and Michele, and the special times as a grandfather to Shaya, Jacobi, Jaxon and Aaliyah.

The family would like to extend a heartfelt appreciation to his many friends, especially those who were more than a friend, but a brother.

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