Harold Eugene Johnson's Obituary
Harold Eugene Johnson, a retired Vice-President and Comptroller for Unocal Pipeline Corporation, entered into rest on Friday, July 14, 2023, days after celebrating his 96th Birthday. His beloved wife of 62 years, Elisabeth Margarete (Rathling) Johnson, survives at home.
The son of the late Loren Sylvester Johnson, and was Laura Almira (Smith) Johnson, Harold was born on July 9, 1927, in Ford County, Illinois.
Harold grew up in Gibson City, Illinois and Graduated from University of Illinois in 1952 with a BS in Accounting. Harold was proud to serve our country during WWII as a member of the United States Army Air Corps. After college, while working as an accountant in Chicago, Harold would work the Wrigley Field Scoreboard during the Chicago Bears games on the weekends. Harold Met his wife Lisa at a University of Illinois Alumni dance, and they married August 6, 1960, in Oak Park Illinois. Harold and Lisa had 2 daughters and lived in Arlington Heights, Illinois where he worked as Vice-President and Comptroller of Pipeline Corporation-In Schaumburg Illinois. Harold travelled to Alaska 33 times while working on the Alaska Pipeline Project. Harold loved to take his family on camping trips, travelling all over the United States and sharing his love for the outdoors, and spending weekends camping with family at Woodhaven Lakes Sublette, Illinois. Together with Lisa, they enjoyed travelling the world.
After Harold retired, he and wife Lisa moved to Hendersonville North Carolina where he enjoyed being a very active member of the community as demonstrated by: Harold was President of Opportunity House, President of the Computer Club, President of The Bridge League, and President of the local Hummel Club.
Harold is a Duplicate Bridge Silver Life Master, an active member of Grace Lutheran church and also helped with the church finances. He enjoyed cooking, and his signature dish was his Famous Shrimp De Jonghe and he Volunteered for many charities and delivered Meals on Wheels until he was 89.
Harold moved to Dunedin Florida in October of 2020 to be near Florida family where he enjoyed many activities with Family and Friends.
Everyone can agree that Harold is best remembered as a sweet smart, kind, soul, who loved to help others and loved his family.
In addition to his loving wife, Lisa and his daughters, Valarie Merkau and Karin Johson, Harold is also survived by his son-in-law, Chris Merkau, a sister, Mary Lou Stocker, and many nieces and nephews.
He was predeceased by his sister, Barbara Stroh along with his parents, Loren Sylvester and Laura Almira Johnson.
Services for Harold will be celebrated at a later date.
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