Our father, longtime Kitsap County resident, Edward E. Johnson died February 15, 2019 at the age of 77. Dad moved to Bainbridge Island in 1973 and to Poulsbo in 1981. Dad and his younger brother, our Uncle Bill, were born and raised in Chicago, Illinois by their mother and stepfather, Ruth and Paul Otto. Dad attended University of Illinois at Chicago on the GI Bill, graduating with a degree in Industrial Arts.

Dad channeled his creativity into his hobbies and work. He was an entrepreneur from a young age and owned a half-dozen businesses over his lifetime, most in promotional products. He collected, restored, and maintained vintage mid-century American cars; designed and remodeled several homes; and could draw an excellent Snoopy. He was most comfortable in jeans and a flannel shirt with a big project to work on.

Dad’s legacy is his kids to whom he preached many lessons: “there’s no free lunch”, “nobody ever said life would be fair” and “consider the source”. We relied on these lessons in the last few years as he declined into dementia. He also instilled the importance of college education and home ownership, making and measuring goals, and taking pride in rolling up your sleeves and doing a good day’s work. He had a great sense of humor that we will miss.

Among his survivors are his children Paula Burke, Carla Johnson, Grant Johnson, and Laura Yu, stepdaughter Ericka Frink, eight grandchildren, and one great-grandchild. Ed’s family was created in part through adoption and the children suggest donations may be made to Holt International, 250 Country Club Road, Eugene, OR 97401, www.holtinternational.org or to Bainbridge Island Kiwanis Club, www.BIKiwanis.org.