Harold J. Johnson

Harold J. Johnson of Port Washington, Wis, passed away on Sunday, Aug. 27, 2023. He was 96 years old.

Harold was born Oct. 26, 1926, to Harry and Laura (nee Schmit) Johnson in Port Washington.

Harold graduated from Port Washington High School in 1944. While in high school, he joined the Army Air Corps, and after graduation he went to Michigan College of Mining and Technology in Houghton, Mich., as a pre-aviation cadet. The need for pilots decreased after the surrender of Germany in World War II and he was retrained as a B29 bomber remote control turret mechanic.

After discharge, Harold attended the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where he met his future wife Geri Lloyd. They were married on June 14, 1952. They were together for 71 years.

After UW, he became an experimental test mechanic at Bolens Manufacturing in Port Washington. He earned a degree at Milwaukee Area Technical College in electronics and started working at Delco Electronics in Oak Creek on the space program. Harold also taught basic electronics at the local technical college.

When the space program ended, he became foreman of the maintenance department at Sprague Electric Co. in Grafton. There, he was part of a group forming an employee credit union, becoming its first president.

Harold volunteered with the St. Vincent de Paul Society and at the Port Washington Senior Center. He drove the Senior Center taxi for many years. He was very active in the American Legion, holding various offices including commander of the Van Ells-Schanen Post 82 and county commander. One of his most precious memories was his participation in one of the first Stars and Stripes Honor Flights.

Being a very outgoing person, Harold loved to travel, visiting 36 countries on five continents. He made many friends exercising at the local YMCA. Other activities dear to him were bowling, golf and pool.

Harold is survived by his wife Geri, his children Jay (Jan) Johnson of Ingleside, Ill., Laurie (Breck) McHenry of Fort Atkinson and Joel (Deb) Johnson of Sun Prairie, 10 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, his brother LeRoy Johnson, brothers-in-law David Lloyd and William Lloyd and sisters-in-law Phyllis Lloyd and Rosemary Lloyd.

Special thanks to his wonderful caregiver Wiesia and the staff at Ellen’s Home and Preceptor Hospice.

Visitation will be held at St. John XXIII Parish, St Peter of Alcantara Catholic Church, 1800 N. Wisconsin St., Port Washington, Wis., on Saturday, Sept. 2, 2023, from 11 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.  Mass will follow at 12:30 p.m.

Final interment will take place at St. Mary’s Cemetery with military honors.

Memorials to the Alzheimer’s Association (www.alz.org) or the Stars and Stripes Honor Flight (www.wisconsinhonorflight.org) are appreciated.

Poole Funeral Home/Crematory, Port Washington, Wis., is assisting the family.

Information and condolences are available at www.poolefh.com or (262) 284-4431.