Gus and Pam Swain Johnson
When I read the posted bios I see many of you have done and continue doing great things. I hesitate to put anything to paper so as not to suffer by comparison.
I have been in Alaska for the past 42 years—long enough to be considered a real Alaskan—raised kids, started a business and live in Fairbanks on the Chena River. We’ve been married 42 years, have 5 grown children, 6 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren. Our oil distribution company employs about 60 people. Four of our kids are running the company so we’re about half retired. Gus and I spend a lot of the long winter Outside—our favorite place is Palm Springs, with Las Vegas a close second.
We have had the same ups and downs as everyone but have been fortunate to be able to do a lot of things that most people wish they could have done. We’ve traveled all over this great nation, been to some of the biggest sporting events and played in the WSOP. The week before the reunion we are throwing my dad a 90th Birthday Party. We have family coming from all over the country to attend. We are blessed that our family, from brothers, sisters, aunts, uncles and cousins, have remained close despite time and distance. If there is one thing that life has taught me it’s that family is the true source of happiness—in knowing them, you know yourself.
I’m looking forward to the reunion and seeing Richland again.