Boyd Richard Johnson

Boyd Richard Johnson passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by his family, on the farm where he was raised and where he spent the majority of his life.

Born in Vancouver, Washington, Boyd grew up in Battle Ground, Washington. He attended Meadow Glade Adventist Elementary School and graduated from Columbia Adventist Academy with the Class of 1967. He continued his education at Walla Walla College and Clark College, where he earned a certification in welding. His lifelong passion for the dairy industry also led him to complete specialized coursework in artificial insemination and embryo transfer for cattle.

In 1970, Boyd married the love of his life, Terri (Rosin) Johnson, and together they built a life centered around family, faith, farming, and community. They raised four daughters—Jennifer, Kimberly, Kristin, and Lori—who all grew up working alongside their parents on the family farm.

The Johnson family was deeply involved in 4-H and Registered Holsteins. They showed their cattle in open-class dairy competitions, primarily at the Clark County Fair, as well as at events throughout Washington, Oregon, and California. Boyd's dedication to dairy farming and his commitment to his family were recognized when Boyd and his family were named the Clark County Dairy Family of the Year in 1987 and the Washington State Dairy Family of the Year in 1988.

Throughout his life, Boyd was an active member and held numerous leadership roles in organizations that were important to him, including the Lower Columbia Holstein Club, Dairy Herd Improvement Association, Fort Vancouver Antique Equipment Association, Washington State Holstein Association, and Clark County Fair Board.

In recent years, Boyd was honored as the Clark County Volunteer of the Year, recognizing his many years of service and dedication to his community. He was also inducted into the Washington State Holstein Association, Mr. Holstein, a fitting recognition of his lifelong dedication to the Holstein breed and the dairy industry.

Boyd was a lifelong member of the Meadow Glade Seventh-day Adventist Church, where he served as a deacon for many years.

Beyond farming, Boyd had a love for the cowboy way of life. He was an avid cowboy poet and attended the Elko Nevada Cowboy Poetry Gathering for many years. His talent and storytelling led to invitations to perform at numerous conventions, celebrations, and gatherings. He loved people, loved a good story, and was often the last one to leave.

Boyd was known as an honest, incredibly hardworking, and reliable man. He was a fun-loving cowboy who could be counted on to get the job done—and then stay a little longer to visit with everyone. When he wasn't working on the farm, he was often dressed in classic Western attire, a look that became part of who he was and frequently inspired strangers to ask for a picture with him.

His favorite saying, “Gett’r Done,” perfectly captured his approach to life.

Boyd will be deeply missed by his wife, Terri Johnson; daughters, Jennifer Ramsey, Kimberly Echelmeier, Kristin Adams, and Lori Johnson; sisters, Betty Adams and Shirley Eklund; nephews, Billy Adams, Kevin Adams, and Jacob Johnson; niece, Megan Pardee; grandchildren, Kalvin Schmidt, Samantha Weech, Emma Echelmeier, Drew Echelmeier, Luke Echelmeier, and Lane Rietdyk; and great-granddaughter, Kambria Weech.

He was preceded in death by his parents, H. Marion and Laura Johnson; brother, Donald Johnson; and nephew, Matthew Eklund.

Boyd leaves behind a legacy built on family, faith, hard work, farming, friendship, and a love for the cowboy life. His hands spent a lifetime working the land, caring for his cattle, and building a family that will carry his legacy forward.

Services will be held on October 4, 2026, at 2:00 PM at Meadow Glade Seventh-day Adventist Church in Battle Ground, Washington.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to one of the following:
-Meadow Glade Adventist Elementary Worthy Student Fund
-Columbia Adventist Academy Cafeteria Fund
-Lower Columbia Holstein Club, which helps benefit dairy 4-H youth