Ed Johnson

March 15, 1939 — Dec. 28, 2011

Ed Johnson, 72, a third-generation Friday Harbor resident, passed away unexpectedly on Wednesday, Dec. 28, 2011 at his farm.

He was born in Bellingham, Wash., on March 15, 1939, the youngest child of Andrew Julius and Edna Gertrude (Dougherty) Johnson.

Ed grew up overlooking False Bay and helped tend the family farm. Ed had many occupations, such as fishing, working for San Juan County road district, and Friday Harbor Sand and Gravel. He also worked at Sam Buck’s quarry, and had Ed Johnson Road Construction, followed by running heavy machinery on the mainland.

In his later years, he spent his time managing neighboring farms along with mowing fields for many islanders.

Ed’s love was his farm, tending to his cows, and harvesting hay, as long as he was driving his Ford tractors.

Ed married Joan Johnson on Oct. 3, 1959 and together they had five children.

He is preceded in death by his parents, his daughters Debra Joan Johnson (18 months), infant Sheryl Lee Johnson, and his brother Carlton Julius Johnson.

Ed is survived by his wife Joan, of 52 years; children, Jeffrey Edward Johnson of Friday Harbor, Janet Lynn Dickey (John) of Edmonds, Wash., and Sherry Johnson Muir (Doyle) of Friday Harbor.

He is also survived by his four grandchildren, Madison Lynn Dickey and Brandon John Dickey of Edmonds, Wash., and Brittany Johnson Muir and Brady Johnson Muir of Friday Harbor; sister Marlene Crosby of Friday Harbor, niece, Beth Ann Wilks (Mike) of Friday Harbor, great niece Jenna Wilks Anderson (Kasey) of Friday Harbor, aunt Dorothy Lawson of Mount Vernon, Wash., and sister-in-law Treasa Johnson of Belgrade, Mont., and nieces Andrea Lee (Clyde) of Belgrade, Mont., and Ginger Haines (Jr.) of Forsyth, Mont.

A graveside service was held Monday, Jan. 2, 2012 at Valley Cemetery, with Pastor Archie Brooks officiating. Arrangements are in the care of Evans Funeral Chapel and Crematory, Anacortes, Wash. and the San Juan Islands.

To share memories of Ed, please sign the online guest register at www.evanschapel.com.