Russell E. Johnson

May 10, 1923 – March 27, 2020

Russell E. Johnson, 96, passed away on March 27, 2020 of “old age” in Tarboro, North Carolina where he had been living for the last five years in a retirement community.

Prior to that he was for 10 years a resident of Homer living with his daughter. He enjoyed being the handyman, errand runner and dandelion picker for the Art Shop Gallery. In addition, he enjoyed the community in general and helping out where he could. He pursued his interest of traveling by taking Alaska trips all over the state with his daughter and bunches of relatives that he talked into coming for a visit.

He graduated with a bachelor of arts from the University of Northern Iowa and a master of arts from the University of Illinois. He served in World War II as a Marine and stayed as a reserve Marine while being a coach at the high school in Mahomet, Illinois. He was called back to active service for the Korean War and decided to remain on active duty. He served in many stateside and foreign locations, including fighting in Vietnam. Russ served 28 years in the U.S. Marine Corps and retired as a Lt. Colonel. After retiring he returned to education and athletics as the assistant principal and athletic director of Richlands High School in Richlands, North Carolina for 15 years. After retiring again, he moved around the Midwest as his son’s family moved for work before coming to Alaska.

He is preceded in death by his wife, Blanche Brown Johnson; his granddaughter Marya Clair Marks; and his son-in-law Wesley Richard Marks, Jr.

He is survived by his daughter, Karin Johnson Marks of Homer; his son, Bradley Craig Johnson, and wife Diana Parker Johnson of Rocky Mount, North Carolina; his two grandsons and their wives, Lance and Regina Johnson of Asheville, North Carolina and Nathan and Katie Johnson of Washington D.C.; plus many loving nieces, nephews and dear friends from all over the United States.

The family requests memorial donations go to his favorite charity, Hospice of Homer, 265 E Pioneer Ave #3, Homer, AK 99603.