Dale Lynn Johnson, 91, died of natural causes Wednesday, June 3rd, at Westview Healthy Living in Wooster, OH.

He was born March 28, 1935, in St. Maries, Idaho, to Arthur A. and Ruth G. Johnson.  He moved around Idaho and Montana during his childhood attending high school in Billings, MT.  He married Coburn R. Randak in Arlington, Virginia on July 29, 1974.

He received a B.A. in Accounting from the University of Montana. He spent a few years working as a school teacher in Laurel, MT and at the Missoula Mercantile.  He went on to get his M.A. and Ph.D. (1976) in History from the University of Montana.  He worked as archivist at the University of Montana Library from 1965 until his retirement in 1996.  He also worked as personal archivist for Senator Lee Metcalf of Montana, organizing his papers before his retirement.

He was dedicated to volunteering and was one of the founding members of the Historical Museum at Fort Missoula, where he volunteered in many roles, including re-roofing the main building, running the book sale, mowing and watering much of the grounds, and organizing and documenting artifacts, until 2016 when he moved to Wooster, OH to be closer to grandchildren.  He also spent many summers doing living history as the proprietor of the general store at the Nevada City Museum.  After moving to Wooster, he volunteered at the Wooster Historical Society and the Historic John Mishler Weaving Mill.

Survivors include his wife Coby, Wooster, Ohio, two sons, Reed, Wooster, Ohio, and Evan, Lake Alfred, Florida, and 3 grandchildren, Graham and Elyse, Wooster, Ohio, Gilana, Lake Alfred, Florida.

At this time, no services are planned.

McIntire, Bradham & Sleek Funeral Home, 216 E. Larwill St. Wooster is assisting the family with the arrangements.

The family suggests memorials to the Historical Museum at Fort Missoula (www.fortmissoulamuseum.org) , Wooster Historical Society (www.waynehistoricalohio.org/wayne-county-historical-society/),  Smithville Historical Society (www.sohchs.org), or Ohio’s Hospice LifeCare (www.lifecarehopsice.org).

Online condolences may be left for the family at www.mcintirebradhamsleek.com