Jack Michael Johnson

Jack Michael Johnson, 73, died November 23rd at Samaritan Evergreen Hospice House in Albany, of lung cancer. Born in Jadis Township, MN, said he, “on the banks of the mighty Roseau River” (actually born at home in Roseau – the Dr made house calls) to parents, Cecil and Della Johnson. His birthday is “on the last day of June every year”. In his youth, the family moved out to a rural farm where Jack, was in charge of dairy chores and his FFA hogs. With a low draft number in 1968, Jack enlisted in the Army and “got a tour of beautiful SE Asia” (Vietnam, Marble Mountain, Da Nang, 1968-1970, rank E5, crew chief, fixed wing aircraft maintenance, awarded purple heart).

Just home from the war, Jack was first married and had three children (Jen, Kim and Jared). They lived in Greenbush, MN where Jack rose early to drive delivery truck to the creamery, laid brick with his dad during the day, and held a position as “the town babysitter” (police officer) at night. They left MN in 1980, and he “moved the family over the mountains in a covered U-Haul” to Salem, OR. Jack was an extraordinary and ever-present father, softball coach and parent volunteer at schools. He found a long-time job as a Teamster warehouseman, ran the meat room (“they left me alone in the refrigerator” at “the big house”) and served as a union shop steward.

Jack became a single parent after he gained custody of his fourth child. He met his wife, Wendy, upon petition by their two 8-year-old, third graders, who claim they parent-trapped them. With certainty, God gave Jack and Wendy to each other. They married in 1999, and together built a happy family, co-parenting four daughters (the aforementioned duo, Kathryn and Andrea, and older sisters, Sarah and Crystie).

A war veteran, Jack forever lived a motto of ‘serve others before self’, everyone, most especially other veterans in need of help. Jack was generous (as if one word is sufficient enough to describe someone who prototypically personifies generosity in every form of action, and teaches others, not as innately inclined as themself, to live generously). His faith and love continually shined in actions.

Jack was born to serve organizations – an extreme extravert (understatement) and quintessential greeter, hugger, fixer, good neighbor and friend. He volunteered on Tuesday Crew at Christ the Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, as a House Manager and Barkeep at Pentacle Theater, and as a Salem Driver Coordinator and long-time Driver of the Veteran’s Shuttle to the Portland VA hospital. He loved to fish and hunt; talked hockey and football, and whole-heartedly devoted himself as a fan for youth sports teams. He was a dedicated outdoorsman and sportsman, who would fly to MN in winter for drives upstate to watch a young cousin play hockey or to join in family ice fishing tournaments.

Survived by wife, Wendy Cody Johnson; seven children: Jen (Mark) Roberts, and Jared Johnson, of Bend, OR; Kim Johnson, San Luis Obispo; Sarah Cody Roth (Tristan), Seattle; and Crystie Cody, Andrea Johnson, Kathryn (Jeremy) Anderson, of Salem; five grandchildren: Mallory, Luke, and Carmen Roberts; Eleanor and Elizabeth Roth.

Proceeded in death by parents, Cecil and Della Johnson; sister, Cecilia Haphey; and brother, Brian Johnson.

A Celebration of Life service is to be held January 15, 2022, at 2:00 pm, Christ the Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 4440 State St NE, Salem. A private burial with military honors is held at Willamette National Cemetery.

Jack’s family asks that memorials be made in his name to the veteran’s organization of one’s choice, the Pentacle Theater, http://pentacletheatre.org/ and Christ the Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, https://christthegoodshep.org/.