Richard Johnson

Richard Alan Johnson, 79 of Duluth, loving father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, uncle and friend, died unexpectedly on Monday, December 2, 2013 of natural causes.
Dick was born October 4, 1934, to Russell and Lulu (Loney) Johnson. Dick grew up in Chester Park and graduated from Duluth Central High school in 1954. He served in the Air Force right out of high school, working as a personnel clerk until his honorable discharge in 1962. Dick was a skilled welder for many years before beginning his transportation company, R&S Transit.
Dick loved being active and was an avid golfer. He spent many summers at his cabin, organizing volleyball and horseshoe tournaments. Later in life, he found great joy in watching his grandsons, Russ play basketball, Rick and Zak play baseball and Easton play hockey.
Dick felt best with a house full of people. He loved hosting meals and card games with his family and friends. He participated in a weekly cribbage league with his good friend, and nephew, Jerry Andler. His easy smile, generous nature and sense of humor will be greatly missed by all that knew him.
Dick is preceded in death by his parents, his sisters Evelyn and Marie, his brothers Robert and Donald, and his grandson, Russell.
Dick is survived by sons, Richard Johnson II, Duluth, Robert (Mary) Johnson, Duluth and his daughters, Cindy (Greg) Olson, Moose Lake and Melissa (Ryan) Grumdahl, Two Harbors. He is also survived by his grandsons, Michael (Kacy) Sipper, Richard (Jessica Nordby) Johnson III, Zak Johnson and Easton Grumdahl, his granddaughters, Stephanie Johnson and Abigail Grumdahl his great-grandchildren, Kylie, Brennan, Olivia and Madison; his sister, Delores Skoglund of Chisholm, as well as several nieces, nephews and cousins.
The family would like to thank Dick's neighbor and good friend, Joe Perfetti for his efforts and for always keeping an eye on him.
Visitation will be Tuesday from 5-7pm in the Dougherty Funeral Home, where visitation will continue Wednesday from 12 noon to the 1pm Service. Honors accorded by the Duluth Honor Guard will follow.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to the Russ Olson Memorial Scholarship, www.ighbestfoundation.com.
Arrangements by Dougherty Funeral Home, 600 E 2nd St. Duluth. (218) 727-3555.