Jerome Melseth Johnson

Jerry passed away peacefully at the age of 93 at his home on Mercer Island with his loved ones by his side. He is survived by Susannah Lynch Johnson, his beloved wife of sixty-eight years, his children Laurie Kelly (David), Evan Johnson (Shari), Tyler Johnson (Colleen) as well as grandchildren Alex Kelly (Kristen), Susannah Short (Chas), Emily Poplawski (Dean), Olivia Johnson Levis (John), Emma, Nic and Tess Johnson, six great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Born in Seattle in 1933 to Ofell and Alice Johnson (and predeceased by siblings Morse and Anne), Jerry was forever grateful for a lifetime of wonderful friendships beginning with the neighborhood kids in Laurelhurst, continuing through Roosevelt High School, the University of Washington (especially the Phi Delta Theta fraternity) and the University of Washington School of Law.

Jerry loved sports of all kinds, and played varsity basketball both at Roosevelt High School and the University of Washington. He was an avid Boy Scout and spent nine years in the US Army Reserves. Following their marriage in 1958, Jerry and Sue moved to Washington DC where Jerry was an attorney for the Chief Counsel’s Office of the Internal Revenue Service. They returned to Seattle in 1962 and Jerry joined a private practice before becoming a King County Superior Court judge in 1972 where he served until his retirement in 1993.

Jerry spent his retirement years enjoying the beach and woods of Hood Canal, attending grandchildren’s sporting events, volunteering at Children’s Hospital, and endeavoring to engage any and all in deep conversation. As a lifelong learner, he was particularly drawn to the teachings of Father Thomas Keating and Cynthia Bourgeault. Other passions include tap dancing, which he took up at the age of 62, and teaching. In 2012, he taught at a law school in St. Petersburg, Russia, as part of an international program.

But his greatest joy was his family, and by them he will be sorely missed.

A celebration of Jerry’s life will be held in the coming months.