Friends Who Moved On

One of the most difficult things about working at the museum are the friends we lose along the way. We lost two very sweet men just last month. Mel was my supervisor for 2.5 years while I was a volunteer. He was funny, kind and hard on me from time to time. I will miss his dry sense of humor and his constant fixing of the chains around the aircraft. Chuck was a Friday volunteer and I got to know him when I was part of the model group. He was always kind and checked in with me even after I got hired full time. He is greatly missed at the front desk.

Melvin Johnson

August 30, 1941 - August 31, 2015

Mel passed away in Marion County. He was born in Portland, Oregon to Mel and Alice Mary Johnson. After serving 8 years   in the Air Force, he settled in California and worked in the electronics industry. Upon retirement Mel and Rosey, his wife of 32 years, moved to Salem, Oregon where they farmed Blueberries. Mel also enjoyed volunteering as a Docent at the Evergreen Aviation Museum in McMinnville. Mel loved his large family and rarely missed the annual reunion in Silverton. He was preceded in death by his parents and sister Melva Anne. He is survived by his wife Rosey and their 6 children: Eric, Tom, Melanie Mangin (Steve), Laurene, Dean Westergren (Tracey), Jacklyn Lang (Chase); their 14 grandchildren and 8 great grandchildren. He also leaves behind 6 siblings: John (Linda), Linda (Jim), Carol, Chuck (Jo), Marvin (Tracy), Greg (Mika) and lots of nieces and nephews. Mel's dog Chica misses him very much!

Charles Leon Howell, age 75, passed away on August 26, 2015 at his home in McMinnville. Charles was born on January 3, 1940 to Clyde Lorraine and Charlotte Ruth Grigson Howell. Charles and Alice A. Beery were married on April 6, 1966 in Salt Lake City, Utah.

After graduating from West High School in Salt Lake City, Charles attended Westminister College in Salt Lake City, Northrup Institute of Technology in Inglewood, CA and California State University in Los Angeles. He moved to McMinnville, OR in 1971 and worked for Midway Volkswagen and Mac Auto Parts before owning Dave's Trophy Shop for 23 years. After retiring, he worked for Lowe's and then was a volunteer at Evergreen Air and Space Museum. He was a member of Kiwanis for 42 years, was active in Gallery Theater and the Methodist Church, plus many community activities.

Charles was preceded in death by his parents and a brother Larry. He is survived by his wife Alice, sister Carol Lutz (Gerald) and brothers Ralph and Vernon.