Eldon Johnson, longtime GOP state lawmaker, dies at 85

Longtime Oregon state lawmaker Eldon Johnson has died. He was 85.

Johnson’s daughter Karen Okada says her father died in a hospice center Sept. 4 after he had a stroke.

The Medford Mail Tribune reports Johnson was appointed to the state House in 1977 to fill a vacant seat. He went on to be elected to 10 additional terms before being forced out of office by term limits in 1999.

A Republican from Medford, Johnson was widely hailed by human services organizations for his efforts to limit budget cuts following a 1990 ballot measure that limited property taxes.

Johnson founded a company now known as Grover Electric and Plumbing and served on numerous boards, including the Medford School Board.

In addition to his wife Barbara, he is survived by a daughter, Karen Okada, of Keizer; a son, Robert, of Napa, California; four grandchildren; and a sister, Velma Woods of Alaska.

A public service will be held at 2 pm, Oct. 2, at the Rogue Valley Manor Auditorium in Medford.