Herbert Leon Johnson, 88 of Turlock, passed away at Elness Convalescent, with his loving wife by his side. Born in Oklahoma, to David and Minnie Johnson, he moved with his family to California 1937. Shortly after arriving in California, Herbert joined the Marines, serving from 1942 to 1945. Herbert, a Private First Class, was qualified as a rifle expert, and ranked 3rd of 500 men in his platoon, the 10th Defense Battalion of the USMC. Most of his time was spent touring the South and Central Pacific Islands. After returning from the Islands, he worked as a Military Police Office, at the Oakland Naval Depot. Later Herbert became a proud member of the National Rifle Association and the local VFW # 5059

Herbert loved to be out doors, he was an avid hunter, who also greatly enjoyed fishing and camping. Herbert also loved to travel, traveling most of the Western states.

He and Geraldine enjoyed many camping trips and traveling excursions together. Herbert was a crack shot with a rifle; he hunted for 40 years, only missing two hunting seasons. For many years he hunted throughout California, after some time he felt the hunting terrain here in California was becoming over crowded, and began hunting in Montana and Colorado. Herbert always had a large vegetable garden he tended to with his wife Geraldine, and as a master mechanic, loved working on motors. Family was important to Herbert; he even made the annual trips to Oklahoma for family reunions.

Herbert is survived by his wife Geraldine Johnson, daughter Dorothy A. Early both of Turlock, siblings; Ruby Ranuio and Doris Johnson both of Stockton, Johnnie Reed of Turlock, and is preceded by his parents, five brothers and two sisters.

Graveside services with military honors will be held on Thursday Apr. 29, 2010 at 10:30am at the San Joaquin Valley National Cemetery.