Arlen Ernest Johnson

Arlen Ernest Johnson, age 94, passed away peacefully on Sunday, July 20, 2025 at St. Alphonsus in Boise, Idaho, surrounded by family. He was born May 3, 1931 in Seattle, Washington to Albert Ernest and Ella Mae (Murch) Johnson.

Arlen graduated from Franklin High, Seattle, Washington in 1949. From there he enlisted in the United States Air Force in November 1950 and served until October 1954. While serving in the Air Force in Honolulu in the early 1950’s he discovered an unquenchable thirst for knowledge that persisted throughout his life. That quest for knowledge led to his attendance at various schools. University of Hawaii (1952), Geography and Japanese Language (1952) Honolulu Vocational School for Refrigeration (1953), Central Washington College of Education for Astronomy, UCLA for Dental Prosthetics (1954-55), University of Washington, English and Psychology, Maher School of Bartending, Moler Barber School (1959), National Meat Cutting School (1963), Tenderfoot School Shoe making and Sales Training Institute. Correspondence schools included, Newspaper Institute of America, Insurance Adjusting, and International Graphoanalysis Society (1983-1993) and became a Certified Master Graphoanalyst.

After service in the Air Force, Arlen became a member of a loss prevention company and traveled five western states, western Canada and Alaska for years, until 1960 when he decided to make Alaska his home and follow the barber trade. Barber positions including being the first official barber at Clear, Alaska, a ballistic missile early warning site in central Alaska, operating the shop in the Red Dog Saloon in Juneau for several months in 1963, the first manager of shops in the Westward Hotel, and the Hotel Captain Cook, and the shop in the Sears Mall. In Anchorage shops owned later included Sears Mall, one in Aurora Village, and the shop in the NCO Club at Fort Richardson, 1983-93. His most present shop owned was Arlen’s Barber Shop in the Russian Jack Plaza in Anchorage. In 1975 the Alaska Pipeline beckoned and almost two years were spent on the pipeline and the North Slope in a security position. Leaving the North Slope in 1978, Arlen owned and operated Sweum’s Grocery and Liquor Store in Anchorage for eight months, then sold it and returned to barbering.

He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Eloise (Ashby) of Eagle, Idaho whom he married February 12, 1965; daughters Arleta (George) Rodriguez of Eagle, ID, Ida (Scott) Ashby of Anchorage, Alaska, and Sarah Ashby of Indianapolis, Indiana; sons Rick Johnson of Hawaii, Kirby Johnson of Anchorage, Alaska, and Sidney Ashby of California, 15 grand kids, 11 great-grand kids, and one great-great grand kid.

Arlen is preceded in death by his parents, Albert and Ella; and brother Alvin Johnson.

A committal service will be held, 9:00 am, Thursday, July 31, 2025 at the Idaho State Veterans Cemetery, 10100 Horseshoe Bend Rd., Boise, Idaho.