Gordon K. Johnson DDS, MSD

Born in rural Utah during the Depression years, Gordon K. Johnson was a devoted husband and father who served his country and community and distinguished himself in his field of orthodontics.He settled in Bakersfield in 1955, following the completion of college and orthodontics training, after his marriage to Bakersfield native, Barbara Urner Johnson.

During the 37 years that Gordon was in practice, he straightened the teeth of over 3000 of Bakersfield’s youths, some of whom returned with their children in tow as new patients. He was frequently greeted in public places all over Bakersfield by former patients who would come up to flash him the attractive smiles that his work had produced.

An avid golfer, Gordon was proud to claim that he “never took a lesson and never bought a ball”, having lived on the 17th fairway of the Bakersfield Country Club for 47 years where there was an adequate supply of golf balls from out-of-bounds tee shots. He and his usual foursome met for golf early on Wednesday mornings just like we are gathering today. Though largely confined to bed the last 16 months, he enjoyed a 24/7view of his beloved golf course.

The family recently gathered in March to celebrate Gordon’s 90th birthday and the couple’s 66th wedding anniversary. Surviving members of the family include his wife, Barbara, his sister, Lorraine Spainhower of Utah, his children Cynthia, Lorin, Deborah and Douglas, his nine grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Gordon’s memory may be made to the University of Washington Foundation, School of Dentistry Orthodontics Memorial Fund at www.washington.edu/giving

Arrangements under the direction of Hillcrest Memorial Park and Mortuary, Bakersfield, CA.