JOHNSON, Robert John

Born on March 15, 1930, in Barrhead, Alberta, Bob Johnson passed away on October 28, 2025, in Central Okanagan Hospice House, Kelowna, BC, at the age of 95.

Bob was the surviving child of twin boys and the oldest of 3 children. He was raised on the family farm until he was 12 years old, when the family moved to BC. They lived in a home on 11th Avenue in Vancouver until 1952, and then they settled on a property in South Burnaby. After completing grade 11, he began a 4-year apprenticeship in steel fabrication, which he completed in April 1952. Bob worked as a member of the Teamsters Union as a steel fabricator for the majority of his working years.

Bob’s love of music as a young man lead him to learn the steel guitar, with which he spent many Saturday nights with the family playing music. He loved his sports teams and was a season ticket holder of the BC Lions for many years. He watched the Canucks religiously and was a big fan of the Toronto Blue Jays. He enjoyed visiting with family and friends, playing golf, and going to country music shows, as well as travelling.

After moving to the Okanagan about 15 years ago, Bob took up hobbies such as Rug Hooking and Diamond Dotz. Many family members proudly display his crafts. He was a card-carrying member of the Parkinson Activity Centre in Kelowna, and he enjoyed going around to different senior facilities playing crib and making new friends. He was an easy man to like and never had a problem meeting people. Along with his son-in-law, Fred, Bob participated in the BC senior games in the crib event a number of times. Since moving to the Highlands Retirement Residence in Kelowna he made friends with every one there and had his regular routine of crib, seniors version of horse racing and his favourite bingo.He enjoyed those events immensely.

Although, Bob never had children of his own, he was very much loved by his niece and nephews and their children and will be truly missed. He was an awesome uncle.  He also had the good fortune of being a father figure for 7stepdaughters, and a stepson, and through them became grandpa to 20 grandchildren and 36 great-grandchildren, with whom he has had the pleasure of celebrating birthdays, holidays, and family gatherings.

Bob has gone to join his family that passed away before him, his spouses; parents, Mary “Molly” (née Cannan) & John Johnson; twin brother Benjamin; brother Allan; sister-in-law, June; and brother-in-law, Bruce Baker.

Family left to hold his memory dear include his devoted and loving wife and friend of 15 years, Beverly (née Gilmore); and particularly his stepdaughters, Erin Gorman (Fred Nenninger), Barbara Smith, Diana Roberts, Richard Smith (Leslie); and his step-granddaughter, Megan Gorman; as well as his sister, Lorraine Baker; niece, Mavis Thomas (Danny), and nephews, Stuart McDonald (Marylin) and Keith McDonald (Pina); great-nieces and -nephews, Devon, Jacqui, Robin (Ester), Lisa, Michael (Amanda), Kathleen, and Terra; and his great-great-nieces and -nephew: Hailey, Sierra, Hayden, Brooke, Claire, Norah, Julia, and Zoe.

Thank you to all the caregivers, volunteers, and staff at the Hospice House in Kelowna.