Herbert Spencer Johnson

Herbert Spencer Johnson, of Berthoud, died February 13, 2007 at Berthoud Living Center. He was 88.Herb was born on November 20, 1918 in LaJunta, Colorado, to Olyn Johnson and Byrdie (Bolton) Johnson. He was raised in southeastern Colorado, graduating from high school in LaJunta in 1936.He moved to the Longmont area following high school, where he opened Herb?s Trading Post at 616 9th Ave. In 1939, he joined the National Guard, recruited by Captain Dan Barnsley. In 1940, he was sent to Ft. Sill, Oklahoma and on to Ft. Deven, Massachusetts, where he met his future wife, Helen H. Thompson. In 1942, he was sent to Europe, serving under General George Patton?s 45th Division, with the 47th Tank Battalion as Sergeant lst Class. He stayed in the tanks at Angio and Selarno beach landings, fighting through Italy into Germany. His division was one of the first to reach the horrors of Dachau.After being discharged, he returned to Longmont with his new bride and assumed his business from his father, selling furniture and tools. Herb?s Trading Post on 9th was an icon in Longmont for many years. Herb moved his enterprise to Boulder in 1960, running a successful business until 1986 when he retired and moved to Loveland. In 1998, due to ill health he moved back to Longmont to be close to his family. In his business, he was known to be able to fix anything.Herb loved to camp and fish on the mountain lakes in his beloved boat and camper.He was a member of the American Legion Post #32 and the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #2601. His wife, Helen Johnson, preceded him in death.Surviving are his daughter, Janet Rider and her husband, Dudley, of Longmont; four grandchildren; Patti Sage and her husband, Josh, of Loveland, Susan Genrich of Denver, Steve Rider and his wife, Karen, of Denver, James Rider and his wife, Sandy, of Wiggins; 8 great grandchildren; 4 great-great grandchildren; cousins, Charles and Joyce Slaton of Mt. Vernon, Texas, Jene Slaton of Houston, Texas, and Alex and Billie Giesler of Grand Junction, CO.A cremation has been entrusted to the Howe Mortuary and Cremation Services.Memorial services will be held at 10:00 a.m., Friday, March 30, 2007 at the Howe Mortuary Chapel. The American Legion Honor Guard Post #32, of Longmont, will provide military honors.Please share your thoughts, memories and condolences with the family at www.howemortuary.com.