Lasting Memories

Alfred Paul Johnson
May 24, 1929-June 25, 2013
Temecula, California
Submitted by Alfred Paul Johnson, III

Alfred Paul Johnson of Temecula, Calif., died on June 25 at home after a brief and sudden illness.

Better known as Al, he was born in Palo Alto on March 24, 1929. He graduated from Palo Alto High School in 1947 and received a BA in History from Stanford University in 1950. Al also studied psychology for a time at a Catholic seminary, but received a Masters degree in history and teaching credentials from the University of San Francisco.

Although Al began his career as a high school teacher, he went on to work for the American Red Cross and for various agencies of the federal government: Equal Employment Opportunity Commission; VISTA (Volunteers In Service To America); Community Action Program; Paperwork Commission; and the Federal Railway Administration. During his time in Washington, D.C., Al earned a Master of Fine Arts degree from George Mason University in 1982. After taking early retirement from the federal government Al enrolled at the Unity School of Christianity in Lee Summit, Miss., and became a Unity minister in 1992. He relocated to Southern California where he served Unity congregations in Hemet, Lancaster and Temecula.

After his retirement, Al continued to remain active in the church and his community. Al was stricken by a sudden illness in mid June, and was hospitalized for a short period. His situation deteriorated and he returned home under hospice care. Al died later that day, on June 25th, attended by his son Michael and friends from his church. Surviving him are his children: Alfred, Michael, Mark, Robert, and Ann; ten grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; and seven stepchildren. He is also survived by his wife, Dolores. Al?s family, friends and congregants remember him fondly.