Tannis J. Johnston, born Oct. 22, 1957 to Ella Mae (m. Gillis) and Louis E. Johnston. She also was welcomed by her only sibling Lonna-Rae. Chico was a nickname from her dad when she was a toddler and through her entire life called Chico.
Oct. 1961 the family moved to Longview TX, then to Denver in 1964, where she lived her whole life.
Chico served in the U.S. Army from Oct. 1977 to her honorable discharge in Feb. 1986. While stationed in Korea, she was permanently injured which began disabilities with her future health. Her work of power generation and wheel vehicle mechanics, she loved her position and at ending her armed forces career she was Sgt. E-5 T.J. Johnston.
She began her civilian life graduating from U.S. Truck Driving School and drove for Freight of All Kinds. She met Marvin Alberts and they married in Aug. 1985. They drove 15 years driving all over until Marvin’s health worsened and caused his death in Aug. 2000.
Chico began driving for the U.S. Post Office. In 2002 she met Lee Kirkpatrick and they married in Sept. 2006. Chico continued driving but she had to retire due to her deteriorating health. She then became a caretaker for Lee until his death in Sept. 2013. Her health forced her to be unable to work and Chico then entered into Hospice in Oct. 2022 where she passed away May 29, 2024.
Chico is survived by her sister, Lonna-Rae Johnston; three nephews, Dayton, Bradley and John Robinson; and two nieces, Louan Robinson, and Tannis Belisle.
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