Inverness oysterman Ben Johnson, who with his father
Charlie Johnson, and brother Tom Johnson, founded Johnson Oyster Company
on Schooner Bay in Drake’s Estero in 1957, died Thursday, Dec.
1, in Petaluma. He was 72.
Last January, the family business was sold to Point
Reyes rancher Kevin Lunny. In its heyday, the company’s production
accounted for more than half of all oysters produced on the West coast
of North America.
Born in Diamond, Missouri on Nov. 22, 1933, to Charles
and Wilma Johnson, Charles Benson Johnson attended Riverton High School
in Kansas, where he was elected class president, crowned homecoming
king, and voted captain of the football team. He attended Pittsburgh
State College on a baseball scholarship, and later moved to the state
of Washington where he learned the art of oyster raising.
Mr. Johnson was predeceased by his son, Jay Johnson;
brother, Jim Johnson; and his sister, Wilma Johnson.
He is survived by his sons, Ben Johnson of Petaluma;
Mark Johnson of Point Reyes; Chip Johnson of Willits; daughters, Michelle
Stanfield of Oklahoma; Rebel Johnson-Mazar of Vacaville; brother, Tom
Johnson of Petaluma; sister, Joyce Johnson of Sacramento; and 10 grandchildren.
Family members suggest that any memorial contributions
be made to Hospice of Petaluma, 416 Payran St., Petaluma 94952.