Zane Clarence Johnson

Zane Clarence Johnson was born June 14, 1936 in Havre, MT to parents Clarence and Gertrude Johnson. His father passed away in 1942 and in 1948 his mother moved the family to Missoula, MT where they operated a small chicken farm until she passed away in 1954. Zane graduated from Missoula County High School in that same year. In 1958 he graduated from the University of Montana where he was a member of the SAE (Sigma Alpha Epsilon) Fraternity and ROTC (Reserve Officers Training Corps) program. That same year he joined the United States Air Force as a 2nd Lieutenant and on October 4th married his college sweetheart, Liz Wilkins. The two were stationed in Germany for the next 3 years. They returned to Billings, MT in 1961 where they raised their children, Mike and Melissa, and owned and operated Zane’s Carpet Mart until 1978. He worked as a realtor in Billings until 1987 when they moved to Denver to start his 25-year career of Federal service with the Department of Housing and Urban Development.

Zane remained a member of the Air Force Reserve for 28 years and retired as a Lieutenant Colonel in 1996. He was very active in the Yellowstone Kiwanis Club where he served as president and was instrumental in opening the Special K Ranch, a functioning ranch run by adults with developmental disabilities. As an Eagle Scout, Zane was very supportive of the Boy Scouts of America and was the Scout Master of a Billings troop for several years. He loved the outdoors; hiking, boating, skiing, camping and hunting, and frequently talked about his trip through the Bob Marshall Wilderness near Missoula as a young man. He was an avid do-it-yourselfer who spent many hours working on his house. Zane and Liz enjoyed raising Shih Tzu dogs and loved to travel.

On March 23, 2018 Zane passed away at age 81. He is survived by his wife Liz Wilkins Johnson, children; Mike (Kim) Johnson and Melissa (Alberto) Armendariz, and three grandsons; Bryce Johnson, Neil Johnson and Emilio Armendariz. He is preceded in death by his parents, Clarence and Gertrude Johnson, his brother, Lee Johnson and niece, Janine Johnson.

Zane was a loving husband and a dedicated father. He was a caring man that would offer his help to anyone and always put others first. He was a devout Christian and was active in his Church and Cursillo throughout his life. A Memorial Service will be held at 3:00PM on Saturday, April 7, 2018 at Emmaus Anglican Church, 995 North Ridge Road, Castle Rock, CO 80104.

Please direct any donations to either of the following organizations:

Special K Ranch

34 Special K Lane

Columbus, MT 59019

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Emmaus Anglican Church

995 North Ridge Road

Castle Rock, CO 80104