Howard Spurgeon Johnson

Howard Johnson passed away peacefully in his sleep on Tuesday morning, September 14, 2010. He was 96 years old and lived a very full and enjoyable life. He loved his family, dancing at Norse Hall, cars (old and new), hiking with the Hiking Vikings, serving at the annual lutefisk dinners and pancake breakfasts at Norse Hall, picnics, and any opportunity to visit with and tease his friends and family. Howard was always a great optimist and every activity he participated in was the "BEST". Howard leaves behind a legacy of a long, active life with many cherished friendships and memories. Many lives were touched by his gregarious and enthusiastic attitude, his willingness to give and help others, and his encouraging ways. He will be missed greatly.

Howard is survived by his sister, Lois Braddock; children and their spouses, Ron and Annette Johnson, Don and Elaine Griffith, and Lauren Johnson; his grandchildren and spouses, Corey and Val Johnson, Lance and Julie Johnson, Max and Andrea Effgen, Brian Griffith, Fer and Kirsten Klug, and Todd Griffith; and his great-grandchildren Jake, Riley, Hayden, Price, Grace, and Neo Johnson, Gus and Zorina Johnson, Shane and Clare Effgen, and Kaia and Dane Klug.

A Celebration of Howard's Life will be:

Time: Tues, Sept 21st at 10:00 am

Place: Caldwell's, Hennessey, Goetsch & McGee Funeral Home

20 NE 14th Ave. (14th & NE Burnside)

Portland, OR 97232

A reception will follow the graveside service at Elaine and Don's Home: 12601 SE Callahan Rd., Happy Valley, OR 97086

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Grieg Lodge Building Fund c/o Norse Hall 111 NE 11th Avenue, Portland, OR 97232

Howard was born to Spurgeon Urban Johnson and Pearl Charlotte (Falck) Johnson on May 4, 1914 in their home at 1711 SE 42nd, Portland OR, where he lived, all but 3 years, until his 90th birthday. His younger siblings were Lois Braddock, Carol Miller (deceased), and Ken Johnson (deceased).

At a young age, Howard had Scarlet Fever and was quarantined for about a year. Bud Chambreau, his friend and neighbor, used to talk to him through the window of the back bedroom. Later, in high school, Bud would remember how Howard spent many, many hours building and working on his Model T. When he finished, Howard was afraid to start it and so he and Bud pushed it several blocks to the garage where the mechanic checked it over and declared it was ready to start. Howard stepped outside, fearing for the worst. It started!!! He drove it around the block 25 times to be sure everyone saw it! (He was also concerned that if he turned it off, it would not start again!) The next week they went to the coast with it. In the winter, Howard would pull a bobsled with his car up to the 49th hill off of Clinton for great sledding. In the depths of the depression, Howard was always up early delivering newspapers before going to school. He was conscientious and always willing to help anyone in need. He graduated from Franklin High School in June, 1933.

Howard met Vivian Amanda Maria Larson at the Norse Hall dances and they married June 15,1940. They were very involved in the Sons of Norway, Grieg Lodge - dancing, skiing at Mt Hood, Howard driving the truck with 15 or more people in the open bed behind the cab, and Vivian a Leikeringen dancer who performed at the San Francisco World's Fair. Many lifelong friendships were made at this time. Howard and Vivian had 3 children, Ron, Elaine, and Lauren. During the early days of their marriage, Howard worked in the fur business. He worked for Meier & Frank in sales and tailoring - Alice Grice said, "Every girl had to have a fur coat and naturally we went to see Howard - It was so exciting! - and his advice was always right!" Later, he would work in West Seattle, and then back in Portland, sharing a business with a partner, 'Johnson & Popia Furs' on Broadway downtown. He also served in the Army from 1944 to 1946, in Northern France and the Rhineland. He received the Good Conduct Medal, the European African Middle Eastern Service Medal, and the Victory Medal.

When the ladies decided that they wanted a car instead of furs, Howard became a car salesman, starting in 1955 at Wolford Ford. Through the years he sold several makes of cars, ending with Toyota when they were first sold in Portland. When the kids were in school, Howard drove to Albany daily to sell Volkswagons with his good friend from the Wolford Ford days, Merle Taylor. He wanted all the kids to be able to attend Franklin High School all 4 years, uninterrupted by a move.

Vivian and Howard started enjoying their grandchildren in 1969 and now have 6 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren. Then, in 1980, Vivian died suddenly from a heart attack shortly after Howard retired.

Eventually, Howard turned to his Norse Hall friends and became involved in bowling, dancing, hiking, and serving on the Norse Hall Association. In 1989, 120 of his family and friends surprised him with a 75th Birthday Party, bussing everyone to Timberline Lodge for an afternoon of fun and lots of good stories. Howard formed a special friendship with Kirsten Wilson, another active member of Sons of Norway, and together they shared many years involved in all the fun activities with Norse Hall, as well as trips to the beach and Mt Hood, picnics, etc.

It's been a wonderful 96 years with Howard and here are some words that his friends use when speaking of him...

Joyful, jokester, cheerful, upbeat, unending energy, never complaining, quick wit, considerate, caring, positive, and a tease with a hearty laugh.