Howard Johnson

It is with deep sadness that daughters Jill and Linda share the passing of Howard Johnson. Best dad ever.

Howard passed away on December 15, 2024, at his home in Issaquah, Washington. He celebrated his 90th birthday in September and lived an amazing life throughout those 90 years.

Howard Thome Johnson was born in Broken Bow, Nebraska, on September 13, 1934, to parents Thome and Jean Johnson. He grew up on a farm with his older brother Bill. Howard would famously tell the story of going to school with his brother, so Bill wouldn't be the only boy at the one-room schoolhouse. Too young for school, he would nap while Bill was in class.

The family moved to Fremont, Nebraska, where the Johnsons farmed and raised livestock. Howard graduated from Fremont High School, where he played sports. His most memorable accomplishment growing up was raising a grand champion steer named Snooker, which he showed at the Nebraska State Fair.

Howard attended the University of Colorado at Boulder, where he received a degree in aeronautical engineering. He worked as an engineer in Denver, where he met his wife, Susan Johanna Landgraf. When it became clear engineering was not his calling, Howard applied to dental school and attended the University of Washington. During graduate school in Seattle, he became a father with the births of Jill and Linda.

Doctor Johnson set up practice in Everett, Washington, and was known by many as their family dentist. Howard and Susan welcomed a baby boy, Thomas Howard, while living in Everett. The family attended First Presbyterian Church, where Howard taught Sunday school and served as an elder. He was a member of the Washington State Human Rights Commission, Rotary International, the Snohomish County Dental Society and the Washington Athletic Club (WAC). He loved squash and traveled from Everett to Seattle to play at the WAC twice a week for years and competed in local tournaments.

When his son Thomas passed away in 1990, Howard and Susan separated and eventually divorced. Howard moved to Seattle, where he met his partner, Ann Callow. The two moved several times, living in Shoreline, Ellensburg, Bellevue, Snoqualmie and Issaquah. Howard loved history and moved boxes of books with him each time he changed addresses.

Howard loved sports and had season tickets to the University of Washington Husky Men's Basketball and the Seattle Mariners. In his later years, he enjoyed watching sports on television. He loved baseball (his favorite team was the Yankees) and college sports of all kinds, notably the NCAA Tournament, and the College World Series held in his home state of Nebraska. It was his routine to get the morning paper and circle which sporting events he wanted to watch on television.

Howard celebrated his 90th birthday with family and friends at his residence in Issaquah, The Revel Apartments. His party was the day after his birthday, and when asked what he wanted to eat on his actual birthday, he without hesitation said pizza.

Howard is remembered as a kind man and a loving father. He is preceded in death by his brother William “Bill” Johnson and sister-in-law Mary, his son Tom, wife Susan and partner Ann Callow. He is survived by daughter Jill Johnson-Weber, son-in-law Sam Weber, daughter Linda Johnson and granddaughter Piper, as well as nieces Laura McBrien, Janet Johnson, and Jeanie Shimko.

Howard will be laid to rest beside Susan and Thomas at Evergreen Cemetery in Everett. A private graveside service will be held on January 25 at 1:00 p.m. led by Pastor Drew Peterson, Knox Presbyterian Church, Spokane. Those who wish to attend a gathering in honor of Howard in Seattle should contact daughters Jill or Linda.

The family wishes to thank the many people who have reached out to share their condolences. Howard was loved by so many. While we grieve his passing, we are comforted by the fact that he led a beautiful life and that he is now at home in heaven.