On Jan. 6, 2010, Hubert Carl Johnson finished his farm chores at 11:37 p.m. and went home to be with his beloved Genevieve.

Hubert Carl Johnson was born July 4, 1923, the fifth child of Henry and Nora Johnson. His father, Henry, died two months before he was born. Hubert was born on the Fir Island dairy farm where he spent his entire life. He was among the last students to ever attend Skagit City School and graduated from Mount Vernon High School in 1941. In 1937, his cattle judging team won the Junior Division in the state competition at the Puyallup Fair. While in high school he earned a letter in cattle judging for the Future Farmers of America team. Hubert earned the highest honor in FFA when he was awarded the “State Farmer” designation in 1940.

Hubert attended Skagit Valley College for a year and earned a scholarship to Washington State University which he was never able to take advantage of due to the outbreak of World War II. During the war he was denied the chance to enlist because the federal government required that at least one male must remain on a working farm to help keep up production. Hubert’s farm was chosen to provide fresh milk to Fort Lewis in 1942 and 1943.

Hubert married Genevieve Walker of Sedro-Woolley, on Sept. 23, 1949. They were married in the Fir-Conway Lutheran Church where Hubert had been baptized and confirmed. They were too busy to travel in the early years of their marriage but in their later years they were able to travel to Alaska, Hawaii, Mexico and several states. They celebrated 56 years of marriage before Genevieve passed away on Oct. 23, 2005. They raised seven children on their Fir Island dairy and crop farm. They built a home on the high ground of their farm in 1970 and eventually retired there. Hubert and Genevieve always made friends with outstanding people who shared their interests and values. They took several trips with some of these friends and had wonderful memories.

During his career as a farmer, Hubert won numerous local, state and national awards. In 1958 he was named Skagit Conservation Farmer of the Year. In 1974 he worked with veterinarians Harold Warsinske and Gene Elefson to pioneer the concept of embryo transplants in dairy cattle. Using Hubert’s best cow, the result was the first purebred Holstein bull calf ever born from an embryo transplant. The bull was named Rockalli Son of Bova and went on to become the number one rated bull in the world.

Also in 1974, Hubert’s son Mitch joined him as a partner in the Rockalli Dairy Farm operation for the next 30 years. In 1977 Hubert and Genevieve were named the Skagit County Dairy Family of the Year and later that same year Hubert received the Master Breeder Award from the Washington State Holstein Association. In 1994 Hubert was inducted into the United States Dairy Shrine in Ft. Atkinson, Wisc., for his lifetime achievement in the improvement of dairy cattle. Hubert was inducted into the Washington State Purebred Dairy Cattle Association Hall of Fame in 2000. Hubert also served on the board of directors of the Dairy Herd Improvement Association and was a lifetime member of the National and Washington State Holstein Associations. Genetic offspring from his dairy cattle now exist all around the world.

In his later years he served with great enjoyment on the board of directors of Skagit Farmers Supply for 21 years. In addition to being a renowned purebred Holstein breeder, Hubert also grew green peas for Twin City Foods for 50 consecutive years starting in 1952. Innovation was always a part of Hubert’s approach to farming. In 1952 he brought the first refrigerated bulk milk tank to Skagit County and in 1960 he built the first modern milking parlor in Skagit County, which soon became the industry standard.

Hubert was a lifetime member of the Elks Club. He was a member of the Fir-Conway Lutheran Church. He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Genevieve, a grandson, Andrew Carl Johnson, and his brother and three sisters: Lloyd Johnson, Helen Grey, Bernice Burley and LaVerne Morgan.

Hubert is survived by his two sisters-in-law, Juanita Gilfry of Burlington and Doreen Herren of Fort Smith, Ark.; two daughters, Shelley Tenneson of Sedro-Woolley and Nancy (Joel) Johnson of Auburn; five sons, Rob (Ruth) Johnson, Mitch (Cindy) Johnson, Ryan (Denise) Johnson, Nathan (Michelle) Johnson, all of Mount Vernon, and Rand Johnson of Everett; five granddaughters, KT Tenneson and Genevieve Ann, Lauren, and Hillary Johnson, Devan Johanson; eight grandsons, Dana Tenneson and Lars, Joe, Royce, Matthew, Chris, Ben and Zachary Johnson; and one great-granddaughter, Lenae Johanson.

The family wishes to thank several caregivers for their loving care of Hubert in the last few years, especially his daughter-in-law Ruth Johnson, who allowed him to remain in his home for as long as possible. Thanks also go out to the staff at Josephine Sunset Home, the caregivers of Visiting Angels and Richard Hall.

Nothing was more important to Hubert than his family. Anyone who ever spent time with him knew this to be true. He left a legacy of love, honor and integrity. On the occasion of his 50th wedding anniversary his oldest child Shelley gave a fitting tribute to Genevieve and Hubert when she wrote, “Thank you for taking such good care of each other over the years and thank you for the gift of family.”

A memorial service will be held at the Fir-Conway Church on Saturday, Jan. 30, at 1 p.m. Starting at noon, there will be a performance by the Dunton Sisters of classical and bluegrass music at the church for anyone who wishes to come early. Family and close friends are invited to attend a short graveside service at 11 a.m. at Pleasant Ridge Cemetery. Donations in memory of Hubert may be made to Josephine Sunset Home, 9901 272nd Place NW, Stanwood, WA 98292, or to a favorite charity.

Arrangements are under the care of Kern Funeral Home, Mount Vernon.