Clair Einar Bossen

On Sunday, August 16, 2020, Clair E. Bossen, loving husband and father, passed away at the age of 87.

Clair was born on November 14, 1932 in Oakland, Nebraska to Axel and Margaret (Philgren) Johnsson. He began working as an electrical helper at the age of 14 and in 1949 he became an electrician at Columbus Electric in Columbus then later at Newman Electric in Fremont, NE.

On July 3, 1952, he and Norma (Longbine) Bossen were married. They remained married for 30 years and raised one daughter, Carla Flynn.

In 1952, he went to work for the Western Pacific Railroad with Signal Construction Gang #7.

In March of 1953, he entered the Army, working as a radar observer and gunner. He attained the rank of Sergeant and received the National Defense Ribbon. He was honorably discharged and completed 8 years of reserve duty.

In 1955 he returned to work with the Western Pacific Railroad as a Signal Maintainer. He continued to work for the WPRR, then the Union Pacific after they bought out the WPRR, until retiring in 1993. In those years he also worked as a Draftsman, Signal Construction Foreman, Signal Draftsman, Signal Supervisor, and Signal Manager of a district from Portola, CA to Salt Lake City, UT.

On December 22, 1990, Clair and Ann (Pomeroy) Bossen were married. In 1993 they moved from Winnemucca, NV to Simi Valley, CA, where Clair worked for Southwest Signal Engineering Co. as the Project Manager. After the project ended he returned to Southern California Regional Rail as Signal Inspector on Terminal Tower Signal Conversion from Manual Interlocking Plant to CTC operation.

In 1995, he and Ann moved to Grants Pass, Oregon. In 1999, he worked as a Signal Inspector on 7 road crossing upgrades through Grants Pass.

Clair will be missed by those who know and love him. He was kind, generous with his time and abilities and always willing to help. He was a handy carpenter and electrician. He loved baseball. He had a quiet, understated sense of humor and served God with a joyous heart.

He is survived by his wife, Ann, his daughter, Carla, his younger brother, Bruce and numerous nieces and nephews. He was pre-deceased by his former wife, Norma and his youngest brother, Dan.

In lieu of flowers you may make a donation to the Parkinson's Foundation. https://secure3.convio.net/prkorg/site/SPageNavigator/2017_donate_form_2.html