Paul Kent JohnsonOctober 01, 1937 - January 17, 2017TularePaul Kent Johnson, age 79, passed away on January 17, 2017 at the Tulare Hospital due to complications from heart failure and early onset cancer. Paul was born on October 1, 1937, to William Marcus and Myrtle Hardy Johnson of Spanish Fork, Utah and was the youngest of 11 siblings. He was preceded in death by older brothers: Allen, Blaine, Roland, Ray, Reed and Glen and by sisters: Norma, Betty and Marion. He is survived by his wife, Barbara, whom he married on December 28, 1968 in Napa, CA; daughter, Maureen Johnson of Passadena and son, Allen, wife Liz and granddaughter, Alexandra, who are currently living in Stuttgart, Germany. He also is survived by his sister, Donna and husband Richard Johnson of Spanish Fork, Utah along with numerous nieces and nephews.Paul attended public schools in Spanish Fork, Utah, graduating from Spanish Fork High in 1955. He attended Brigham Young University from 1955 to 1959, graduating with a B.S. in History and again in 1961 completing a Secondary Teaching Credential. He taught two years at Dugway High School, Dugway Proving Grounds, Utah. From 1963 to 1966, he taught Lincoln Jr. High School in Orem, Utah. From 1959 to `965, Paul was in the U.S. Army/Utah National Guard.In 1967, Paul moved to Tulare, CA, taking a job with the Tulare City Schools and began his second teaching career. He taught in the Tulare City Schools from 1967-1978 at Mulcahy/Cherry Avenue Jr. High Schools, and at Wilson/Roosevelt Elementary Schools. Paul attended CSU Fresno earning his Masters Degree in Education Administration. In 1978, Paul became a Resource Teacher at Roosevelt School until he was promoted to the District Office, becoming Director of Funded Programs for the Tulare City Schools. He retired in June of 1999.Paul was an avid reader and enjoyed doing crossword puzzles. He loved cats and there were many throughout the years in the Johnson household. He loved to go fishing, especially with best friend and neighbor, Jim Schneider. Paul enjoyed watching his kids compete with Tulare Sharks and eventually he and wife Barbara became leaders of the club and also later with TNT. As Maureen and Allen advanced their level of swimming, Paul became a USS Swimming official and spent many hours walking the deck as they competed in various meets throughout California. Paul also supported his kids in their college years by attending college swim meets and water polo tournaments. He was so proud of Allen when he chose to attend the US Naval Academy and become a Navy Officer. He was also very proud of Maureen choosing to become a teacher as he and Barbara felt that this was such a great career.Paul loved traveling. He and Barbara made several trips to Alaska & Canada. They also traveled to Europe, Asia, South America, and Australia/New Zealand. Paul and Barbara met many new people who became lifelong friends. In the latter years, Paul and Barbara vacationed yearly to Hawaii, and Paul always remarked how he never felt any better than he did when on the islands.A Celebration of Life will be held at the Tulare Agricultural Center on February 4, 2017 from 12 to 3:00pm. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Johnson Family Scholarship Fund through the Tulare Joint Union High School District, 426 N. Blackstone Avenue, Tulare, CA 93274; or the or the .