Ernest Roy Johnson

September 10, 1943 - August 8, 2024

Ernest Roy Johnson, 80, died on August 8 at his home, surrounded by his family in Orange County, CA. A lifelong California resident, he was born and raised, along with his sister Debbie (Thomas) and his parents Nancy and Alex, in Los Angeles and Orange Counties. He shared many happy memories with his children about his younger years in Long Beach playing outside with his cousin Carol, especially at Colorado Lagoon, known tongue in cheek by the locals as “Polio Pond.” He was also close to his paternal grandfather, Ernie Diggins, who remained a constant throughout his life. He would often talk about how much California had changed in his lifetime and how the landscape inspired his love of westerns and cowboy hats. He was an avid outdoorsman as a young man, who loved the ocean, skiing, bicycling, and motorcycles. His sense of adventure even led him to obtain his pilot's license and he loved to fly.

He worked his way through undergrad at California State University, Long Beach in the oil fields, graduating with a B.S. in Business Administration. After traveling and working for a few years in Texas, he returned to California for law school, graduating with a J.D., passing the California state bar, and was admitted to the U.S. Supreme Court, one of his proudest career accomplishments. Throughout his career in business and law, he traveled extensively, including throughout Asia. Ernest was a lifelong learner, maintaining his attorney’s license and his good standing with the CA bar association throughout his life, and passed his love of reading and acquiring knowledge onto his children and grandchildren.

His life grew with deeper meaning when he met his beloved wife Mary. They married August 24th, 1974, and settled in Newport Beach, California. He adored his three daughters, Jennifer, Joanna, and Julianne. He passed on his inherent love of nature and the outdoors to his children through family camping trips in their motorhome, and sailing trips on their sail boat out of Dana Point. In addition to boating (sailing and motor) and family camping trips, he also enjoyed sports cars and restoring antique cars. He shared his love of music with his children, especially the “oldies but goodies.” He loved to dance with his family in his own style and could often be heard yelling out with his booming, deep voice, “ah-haw!” He was a proud member of the Lion’s club, and often donated to causes that mattered to him. Ever the family man, his marriage, along with the birth of his children and grandchildren were among his proudest family moments. He loved his uniquely close extended family, who gathered together with friends to celebrate every single member’s birthday and holidays.

Some of his happiest memories included time spent with Mary at their cabin in Lake Arrowhead, boating on the lake, and enjoying the trees, snow, and mountain air. They also loved traveling together, including taking cruises with the family.

He is survived by his wife Mary, his children Jennifer (Derrick) Moody, Joanna (Patty Michels) Johnson, Julianne (Steve) Jaksch, his grandchildren Eleanor, Emmett, Everly, Ezra (Jaksch), Valkyrie (Moody), his sister Debbie Thomas, his nephews Nathan and Andrew Thomas, his cousin Carol Cognito, as well as extended family across California and the United States

A graveside service for Ernest will be held Saturday, August 17, 2024 at 11:00 AM at Pacific View Memorial Park - Oceanview, 3500 Pacific View Drive, Corona del Mar, California 92625.