Paul Nelson Johnson Jr., born in Oakland, California, passed away on Feb. 2, 2021 of natural causes at the age of 94. He leaves behind his loving family: his beloved wife of 68 years, Dorothy Thacker Johnson, known best as Tita; his brother David E. Johnson; his daughter Lynn J. Connors (Dennis); his sons David D. Johnson (Jane) and Daniel T. Johnson (Charleen), and grandchildren Errin (Tiarra), Sean, Brian and Jennifer. Paul received his BA in Organic Chemistry from Stanford University before attending Harvard Business School for a one-year intensive middle management program, graduating in 1956. He worked at Merk & Company and Riverside Cement Company prior to launching an entrepreneurial career in investment banking and merger advisory services.
For 41 years, Paul advised clients on mergers and acquisitions until his retirement in 2009, when he moved to the Rogue Valley Manner in Medford, Oregon with Tita to enjoy his retirement years. Paul and Tita met at Stanford University in 1951, married in Honolulu, Hawaii on July 19, 1952, and lived in Honolulu, Oakland and San Marino, California before the move to Oregon.
In San Marino, where Paul and Tita lived for 37 years and raised their children, Paul served as the City Treasurer, was active in the Association for Corporate Growth and The Rotary Club and significantly contributed to his town’s community as a coach for the YMCA, Little League and Pony League baseball teams. Paul was a wonderful family man and lived a happy and productive life. He died peacefully during an afternoon nap.
The family has not scheduled a memorial service and will wait until pandemic-related restrictions are lifted before making any such arrangements.
