Rolen Family Blog

Garth Radcliffe Johnson, 49, of Wenatchee died Wednesday, March 17, 2010 in his home after fighting a courageous ten-month battle with cancer. He was born April 8, 1960 in Wenatchee to Lawrence and Nancy Johnson and was raised in Cashmere, Washington.

Garth graduated from Cashmere High School in 1978. He was very active in the high school music program both as a trumpet player in the concert and stage bands under the direction of his father, “Larry”, and as a vocalist and piano accompanist for the choirs. Garth also participated in sports, especially basketball and golf. During his junior and senior year the “Bulldogs” won 1^st and 2^nd place at the state basketball tournament. During high school Garth began his passion of playing in local garage bands and was actively jamming, composing and playing gigs in the area. He also spent many hours working a part-time job in the orchard for a special family friend, Harry Doty.

After high school, Garth attended Western Washington University and later moved to Edmonds, where he worked for several electrical companies. In 1985 he attended the Iowa Tech Community College in Sioux City, Iowa to train as a piano technician. Upon returning to Wenatchee he spent several years working for Jim Matthews at the Band Box while he built up clientele to establish a full-time piano tuning business. He also taught guitar lessons on the side and continued to compose, produce recordings and play with a number of bands in both the Wenatchee and Seattle areas including “Kcordrah,” “Knee Deep,” “Sage,” “Redwulf,” “Bandetta,” “Avon Blue,” “Melodius,” and the “Tony Valentine Band,” to name a few.

Garth is survived by the love of his life, Sharon Neace, Wenatchee, his mother, Nancy Radcliffe Johnson and sister Jill Rolen Larson (Joel) of Wenatchee, one foster brother, Jerry Bender, California, two nephews Russell Rolen (Sara) of Chicago Illinois and Jared Rolen (Rebecca), Tri Cities, two nieces, Jaclyn Rolen, Seattle, and Michelle Rolen Frohm (Aaron), Lynnwood, one great niece Lyla Lynne Frohm, and a special family friend, Diane Stober of Wenatchee. He was preceded in death by his father, Lawrence Alfred Johnson.

Garth had many passions throughout his life and lived each experience to the fullest. He loved to play golf and was thrilled to reach his goal of breaking par at Highlander Golf Course in East Wenatchee. He enjoyed being outdoors, hiking, fishing, camping, gardening and building elaborate bird houses for his yard and family members. Garth had a great sense of humor and terrific positive attitude even during his battle with cancer. He loved all animals, his many pets and especially his beloved dog “Bailey”, and he took time to get to know and love his customers’ pets as well.

Garth was a talented musician and impressed everyone with his virtuosic keyboard and guitar skills. He was passionate about creating new styles of music, composed hundreds of songs and was still recording music right up until the end of his life. He was a gifted and meticulous piano technician and was loved by his loyal customers. They became his special friends and he often stopped by between tunings to visit and deliver bags of home-grown vegetables.

Garth cultivated strong friendships with everyone he knew including fellow musicians, golfing partners and clients, and maintained friendships with the buddies he grew up with in Cashmere. He had the ability to light up the room with his booming voice, contagious smile and passion for life. Even during the bleakest moments of his illness he did his best to assure his visitors that he was doing better and was appreciative of the all the good things that he had enjoyed during his life.

The family would like to thank the many local physicians, healthcare providers and hospice nurses for their care and concern the past ten months and a special appreciation to Garth’s many friends and clients for their support with cards, calls and visits. It meant so much to him!

A “Celebration of Life” service for Garth will be held Sunday, April 11, 2010 at 2:00 pm at the Cashmere Riverside Center.

If desired, please send memorials to the “Wenatchee Valley Music Teachers Association” as a contribution towards the organization’s current fundraising project to purchase a new grand piano to be used by local music students and the community. Checks may be sent in memory of Garth to: 216 Wetherald Street, Wenatchee, WA 98801.

Arrangements were assisted by Telford’s Chapel of the Valley, East Wenatchee. An on-line Book of Memories for Garth may be viewed on their website.