Ray E. Johnson

Ray E. Johnson
Member of the California State Assembly from the 4th district
In office 1965–1974
Preceded by	Harold E. Booth
Succeeded by	Edwin L. Z'berg
Member of the California's Senate from the 1st district
In office 1977–1985
Preceded by	Randolph Collier
Succeeded by	John Doolittle
Personal details
Born	March 22, 1911[1] Oroville, California[1]
Died	November 18, 1993 (aged 82)[1] Chico, California[1]
Political party	Republican, Independent[1]
Spouse(s)	Lorraine Christian (m. December 28, 1935)[1]
Children	Mary Lou and Ray E. Jr.[1]
Residence	Chico, California

Ray E. Johnson (March 22, 1911 – November 18, 1993) was a Republican member of the California State Assembly from the 4th district from 1965 to 1975.^[2] He also served in the California Senate representing the 1st district from 1977 to 1984.^[2] He changed his party affiliation to Independent in 1983.

Johnson was born in Oroville, California on March 22, 1911. He attended Oroville public schools and the University of California. On December 28, 1935, he married Lorraine Christian. They had two children, Mary Lou and Ray E., Jr. He founded the Christian and Johnson Garden and Nursery and the Christian and Johnson Company in Chico.^[1]

He served as president of the Chico Rotary Club, the Chico Shrine, and the Arbuckle Lions. He earned the rank of Eagle Scout and served as Chairman of the Bidwell District Boy Scouts. He belonged to the Elks, Masons, Knights of Pythias and the Ben Ali Temple of Shrine.^[1]

Prior to serving in the legislature, he was a member of the Butte County Board of Education and the Butte and Colusa County Grand Juries. He was elected to the Assembly in 1965.^[1]

He died in Chico on November 18, 1993.^[1]

Further reading

• "Ray Johnson (obit.)" by Associated Press, San Francisco Chronicle (11/20/1993), p. A23,

Legacy

A segment of Highway 99 south of Chico is named the "Ray E. Johnson Expressway."

Sources

1. Inventory of the Ray E. Johnson Papers, Online Archive of California
2. Join California