Arthur B. Johnson Jr.

BROWNFIELD — Arthur Braley Johnson Jr., 80, of Brownfield, died Friday, Dec. 15, 2017, at his home with his family by his side.

He was born in Somerville, Mass., on Sept. 8, 1937, the son of Arthur Braley and Ruth McGrath Johnson. He resided in Brockton, Mass., and Middleboro, Mass., before serving in the United States Navy. He married Gueneth Gibbs in 1959. They were married for 58 years. In 1972 they moved to Brownfield, where they operated Woodland Acres Campground.

He served for many years on the board of directors for MECOA (Maine Campground Owners Association) where he served as Vice President, President of the Burnt Meadow Snowmobile Club, a member of the Saco River Advisory Council and the Saco River Liveryman’s Association. He was a 40-year member of the Masonic Lodge in Brownfield. He was an avid volunteer. He worked tirelessly for the Brownfield food pantry and enjoyed being an elf and cocoa chef for the Polar Express.

Arthur had a great love for animals, particularly horses. He was a 4-H member in his youth and later became a leader. At one time he led one of the largest 4-H horse clubs in Mass. In his youth he rode in local rodeos. After retirement he enjoyed driving his pony Skoski in her road cart.

His family includes a son, Kenneth A. and his wife Peggy of Minturn, Colo.; a daughter, Doreen Swanholm and her husband Richard of Bowdoin; a son, Shawn R. and his wife Tina of Willow, Ark.; and a daughter Barbara Solter and her husband Jeffrey of Brownfield; eight grandchildren, Kizzy, Melanie, Andrew, Jennifer, Christian, Shane, Christopher and Elisabeth; and eight great-grandchildren.

A Memorial service will be held on Saturday, Dec. 23 at 1 p.m., at the Center Conway United Methodist Church, Main St., Center Conway, N.H.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Believe in Books Literacy Foundation – North Conway, 41 Observatory Rd., Bartlett, NH; or Maine 4-H University of Maine Foundation Buchanan Alumni House, Two Alumni Place, Orono, ME 04469-5792 umainefoundation@maine.edu – umainefoundation.org or give online: umaine.edu

Arrangements are under the care of Wood Funeral Home, 9 Warren St., Fryeburg. Online condolences may be shared with his family at www.woodfuneral home.org