Wesley Johnson passed away after a good long life. He was born in Clovis to August Johnson and Mary Wilson Johnson and he was a twin. Wes and Les joined their brother Bill at the same address on Fifth St. he lived for almost 95 years.

Wes went to grammar school and high school in Clovis and made lifelong friends from those early days. Wes and Les were kept together but during the depression, circumstances led to them being boarded with other families. It is with great appreciation that we thank them for their kindness. They lived first with the John Cunningham family for about 3 years and then the Carl Polson family for about 10 years. Wes only spoke of good memories during that time. He said they were treated fairly and made to feel welcome. Wes and Les left the Polson's to live with family, uncles and their brother at the age of 16. So, teenage bachelors. Wild times for sure, but they continued in high school and had to support themselves. Wes drove a truck for Union Oil before school started and made deliveries up Tollhouse grade to Big Creek. And then went to work for Floyd Doolittle and the Challenge Dealership also driving the mountain routes. In school, Wes played football as the center. And tried to join Mixed Glee. He thought it was a good chance to meet girls. That dream lasted 2 weeks when the teacher knew he couldn't sing. He completed his studies. He also met Maxine Gover. It was a match that would last 70 years.

They married right out of high school. He worked at rural fire stations for Mid Valley for a couple of years. And then as their family continued to grow, Wes got on at United Grocers, back on the truck. He delivered groceries up and down the valley. He made friends all along the routes. Some grocers would even save him their black bananas (an acquired taste). In Clovis he would personally take the order books in for the grocery stores, to give them more time to complete their orders. The company changed ownership to Fleming Foods, and, in total, he drove for 42 years. Wes and Maxine developed an interest in Antiques and owned 2 antique shops in Old Town and they were partners with Fred and Susie Osterberg in a 3rd for a while. They enjoyed the customers and estate sales and the unique "finds".

Outside of work, however, Wes was a sportsman. He hunted, fished, camped and hiked. He took his children, especially the boys, and their friends all over the mountains. No amount of planning was too much. Sometimes they had luck and brought a trophy home but mostly they had a good time they could talk about for years. Then he took his grandchildren and their friends. Some of the girls got deep sea fishing trips.

Together, he and Maxine traveled and traveled. They went with the Juras on many trips and sometimes by themselves. They drove or camped by day and played cards, dominos or Yahtzee at night. It was a good time when they went to Shaver Lake for a month in the summer. Company would come and go with more cards and campfires. Wes would put out fruit rinds so the Maxine could watch the wild animals come to the clearing and eat.

Wes was an officer and President of the UG credit union. He was also active with the retired UG and Teamster groups. He loved the picnics and cards and old stories.

In the Catholic Church at Our Lady of Perpetual Help, he was a member of the Knights of Columbus, the ICF, and the Silver Foxes. He also cooked for the Catholic Daughters chapter. He put his total efforts in selling dinner tickets, raffle tickets, gathering door prizes and cooking. He would also call to recruit volunteers for the fireworks stand. If someone was not home, he would try again and again. And then supply these workers with cold drinks. He remained active in his club work into his 90's.

Wes and Maxine had 7 children, 9 grandchildren, 19 great grandchildren, and 2 great grandchildren. Each and every one of them loved him and wanted to play cards and games with him. They loved his fruit cobblers too. Wes experienced adversity, and challenges and worked long hard hours and yet found a way to overcome and enjoy life.

Wes was preceded in death by his wife Maxine, his daughter Susanna, his bothers Bill and Les and wife Betty. He is survived by his daughter Rita Del Testa, and husband Francis, of Tranquility, his son Wes and wife Rose of Sanger, son Gus and wife Neva of Porterville, son Ben, Son Jeff and wife Stana, and son Mike and wife Pam of the Clovis area. Wes will have a Chapel Service at the Clovis Funeral Home on Friday May 3, 2024, at 10 am. Following the service, he and Maxine will be buried in the Clovis Cemetery with their daughter and next to his twin brother.

Good-bye Dad, good- bye friend, bye guy! Thanks for everything.