John Johnson

John Jacob Johnson, 73, passed away August 13, 2005 at Villa Maria Care Center, Fargo while under the care of Hospice of the Red River Valley. John Jacob Johnson was born to Russell and Lulu (Smith) Johnson on December 23, 1931 in Bucyrus, OH. He graduated from Holmes Liberty High School, Bucyrus, OH in 1949 and moved to NE worked on a farm. In February of 1952 he enlisted in the Army and he was discharged in February of 1954. He was stationed in Fort Hood, TX for basic training and spent much of his remaining time in Germany achieving the rank of Corporal. When he returned he took a summer school course at Moody Institute in Chicago, IL where he met Joan Copley. They were married in Bucyrus, OH on April 21, 1957. He attended college at Howard Payne University in Brownwood, TX graduating with a Bachelor=s Degree in 1959. He was also ordained into the Southern Baptist Church in 1959. He continued his education at St. Mary=s University in San Antonio, TX, Our Lady of the Lake University, San Antonio, TX, and the University of Texas in Austin, TX where he completed his MSSW Degree. John worked in the Department of Social Services in San Antonio, TX while he was going to school. He started working at the Baptist Children=s Home in Round Rock, TX after graduation and remained there for approximately 3 years. Their children were born during this time. The next move was to Cherokee, IA in 1967 where he took a position with the Cherokee State Mental Health Institution. He was a school social worker from Aug. 1970 until June of 1971 in Sioux City, IA. When they moved to Browning, MT John=s interest in Native American populations began and this emphasis continued throughout his career until retirement. He was at the Department of Health, Education and Welfare/Department of Health and Human Services/Indian Health Services. In 1974 John became the Director of Mental Health--Social Services in Wagner, SD. He retired in December of 1989. John and Joan moved to Fargo, ND in 1998. He was a member of the National Association of Social Workers and received a Superior Quality Work Performance Award for Indian Health Service in 1982 and the National Association for Social Work South East Region Social Worker of the Year Award also in 1982. In retirement he enjoyed taking various mission trips in the United States, Mexico and the Ukraine. Other hobbies and interests included hunting, trout fishing, gardening, farming, multi-cultural events, reading, and traveling. He is survived by his wife, Joan; his children: Douglas Jerome Johnson (Caroll) Frisco, TX and Regina Lu Monson (David) Fargo, ND; his grandchildren: Rebekah Johnson, Kyle Johnson, Ana Monson, and Jacob Monson; Parents Russell and Lulu Johnson; Sibling: Evelyn (Darvin) Luginbuhl. He is preceded by Parents Russell and Lulu Johnson; three brothers, Robert, Carl, and Ray; Sister, Bette Fritz Clime. The Funeral will be at 2:00 P.M. Thursday, August 18,2005 Bethel Evangelical Free Church, Fargo. Visitation will be from 12:00 noon to 2:00 P.M. in the Church. Burial will be at Sunset Memorial Gardens, Fargo. Arrangements by Boulger Funeral Home Online Guestbook at: www.boulgerfuneralhome.com