Funeral homes often submit obituaries as a service to the families they are assisting. However, we will be happy to accept obituaries from family members pending proper verification of the death.
Martin Guy Johnson, “Marty,” passed away Nov. 25, 2023, in Hood River, Ore. He was surrounded by family and friends. He was born in Valdosta, Ga., June 4, 1952, to parents Glenn Johnson and Virginia Riley. He joined siblings Gail and Brandon. As a family, they travelled the U.S. and the world for Glenn’s career as a U.S. Air Force fighter pilot. They went from Georgia, Florida, Vermont, Germany, Arizona, and Nevada. In his youth the family travelled throughout Europe.
As an adult, Marty followed his love of skiing and being in the mountains, living in Nevada, Utah, and Montana. He soon made his home in Parkdale, Ore., where he and his first wife, Kathy, started Caribou Woolens, a very successful ski hat business.
He met the love of his life, Polly, in 1983 while working at Mt. Hood Meadows. They bought their first home in 2001 and were married in 2002. They spent 25 years together living life to its fullest and loving each other every day.
Marty Johnson
As a ski industry professional, Marty would work as a ski patroller, lifts operations manager, lift maintenance, and snowcat operator. He also helped build ski lifts at Whitefish (Big) Mountain and Mt. Hood Meadows. Marty worked at MHM from 1979-1989. After a short time away, Marty returned to MHM until 2000.
Marty supervised and mentored hundreds of employees. They respected him as a boss and remembered his kind demeanor many years later. He touched people positively and made friends with almost anyone. He was a man who valued you and your friendship. He had many lifelong friends.
After leaving the ski industry he started a new career as a house painter. His meticulous nature suited this business well. So well, he eventually was able to start his own painting business.
After his retirement in 2012, he and Polly bought a conversion van and explored the U.S. coast to coast. Eventually the van was replaced with a comfy RV. There are so many memories from all the places they travelled to.
He was an avid mountain biker and a member of the Live Wire Riders. He helped organize the Columbia Gorge Challenge bike race for many years. He enjoyed reading, fly fishing, golfing, and was a beautiful skier. He loved being a homebody and doing home improvements, especially if Polly asked him to do a project. He would design it, build it, finish it and get ready for the next project. He was a skillful and poignant writer, sharing his memories of people and places.
He spent more than 25 years battling Parkinson’s Disease. His strength and dignity were admired by his family and friends. We are all relieved that his suffering is over.
Marty is survived by his wife Polly, siblings Linda and Brandy (Lori), children Travis (Hillary), Toby (Luke), Woody (Taylor), grandchildren Lincoln, Jackson, Turner, Jaime and his dog Ranger.
He was predeceased by his mother Virginia, father Glenn, sister Gail and his dogs Dox, Zeke, Zack, and Jack.
Marty requested no memorial service but rather a celebration of his life. That will take place at the Johnson home June 22. If you wish, please honor Marty by donating to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research, give.michaeljfox.org.
Peace and Love to you Marty.
To plant a tree in memory of Marty Johnson as a living tribute, please visit Tribute Store.
Keep it Clean. Please avoid obscene, vulgar, lewd,
racist or sexually-oriented language. PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK. Don't Threaten. Threats of harming another
person will not be tolerated. Be Truthful. Don't knowingly lie about anyone
or anything. Be Nice. No racism, sexism or any sort of -ism
that is degrading to another person. Be Proactive. Use the 'Report' link on
each comment to let us know of abusive posts. Share with Us. We'd love to hear eyewitness
accounts, the history behind an article.
(0) entries
Sign the guestbook.
Log In
Keep it Clean. Please avoid obscene, vulgar, lewd, racist or sexually-oriented language.
PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK.
Don't Threaten. Threats of harming another person will not be tolerated.
Be Truthful. Don't knowingly lie about anyone or anything.
Be Nice. No racism, sexism or any sort of -ism that is degrading to another person.
Be Proactive. Use the 'Report' link on each comment to let us know of abusive posts.
Share with Us. We'd love to hear eyewitness accounts, the history behind an article.