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George W. JOHNSON December 22, 1912 ~ March 10, 2011 The oldest working real-estate broker in the United States, George W. Johnson, 98, of Seattle, died on March 10, 2011, from complications of pulmonary fibrosis. Up until 6 weeks ago, he was still driving himself to his Ballard office, George W. Johnson Realtors, and working 6-hour days. Alan Schauffler of King 5 News, commenting in his 2007 Up Front feature of George called him 'The Oracle of Ballard' a moniker he proudly embraced to his final days. George was born in Wessington, SD, on December 22, 1912, to Oscar and Johanna Johnson who were both Danish Immigrants. The second of 4 brothers, George grew up on the family farm and spent his youth helping his father with the family homestead and learning the value of hard work. He met and married Clarice A. Scandrett in 1933, while they were both attending a small Free Methodist college in South Dakota. He left South Dakota in 1934 after being recruited by the President of Seattle Pacific College (now SPU) to finish his last two years at SPC's growing Seattle campus. He earned his tuition by rising every morning at 4am to work as the school's baker. His parents followed him to Seattle, and after George com pleted his college degree in 1936, he and his father started a dairy farm in the Broadview neighbor hood of N. Seattle, where View lands Elementary School sits to day. After graduation - and never afraid of hard work - George delivered milk before go ing off to work as an elementary school teacher in White Center. After sending $5 to Olympia for a real estate license, he started selling homes, in the evenings, from a real estate office on 15th Ave NW in Ballard. His Ballard office continues on the same land as that original office. He was an early pioneer in the Real Estate Industry, and was a career-long, 75+ year member of the National Association of Realtors. He was equally proud of his life long in volvement with First Free Methodist Church, Seattle. George's commitments to his family, to his church, and to hard work were the prized bench marks of his life. George was married to Clarice until her death in Jan. 1993. Then at 81 years of age he found the second love of his life in his widowed sister-in-law, Esther Johnson. In late 1993 George & Esther were married and spent 17 wonderful years together until her passing at age 101 in 2010. George cherished these years with his beloved Esther and loved this time spent with his new extended family. He was preceded in death by his parents and brothers, Walter, Elmer and John.George is survived by his loving children and step children, Jim Johnson and his wife Barbara; Joybelle Johnson-Eriks and her husband Paul Eriks; Karen Johannsen; Robert Johnson and his wife Karen Hoven; JoAnne McDonald; Carolyn Murphy and her husband Gerald; and Janet Henkel. He is also survived by 11 grandchil dren; 20 great-grandchildren and 6 great-great-grandchildren. Service will be held at First Free Methodist Church Sunday 3/20 at 1:00 p.m., 3200 3rd Avenue West, Seattle. Memorial donations may be made to First Free Methodist Church, Seattle; the Clarice A Johnson Memorial Fund; Seattle Pacific University; Operation Night Watch Seattle; Warm Beach Health Care Center, 20420 Marine Dr, Stanwood, Wa 98292; or New Horizons Ministries, Seattle, Wa. The family would like to thank the wonderful medical care provided by Dr's George Pappas & James Coghland and Providence Hospice Care. Special thanks for the loving home care provided by extended family in his final weeks. Grand children Keri Pederson and Kurt Johnson lovingly handled a major portion of the care with patience and deep compassion. If history and habit is any predictor, 'Time to Get Up!!' will be among the first words spoken by dad as he greets his long unseen family and loved ones. Sign George's on-line Guest Book at www.Legacy.com
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
George was my beloved Sunday School teacher and Teen Advisor at the First Free Methodist Church. I have many fond memories of Teen Get-Togethers at his house. I look forward to seeing George again someday in Heaven. Praise God!!
Deane Roloff
March 25, 2011
We at New Horizons Ministries are prayerfully grateful for Mr. Johnson's support of the work we do with homeless youth in Seattle. It means so much to us to have this encouragement from a man who loved the Lord and lived a life that showed others the same love.
With gratitude,
Mary Steele, NHM Executive Director
Mary Steele
March 21, 2011
George Johnson sold us our house 50 years ago. We still live there. It was a delight to come to the office and talk to him every tax season when were in to see our accountant (and Rob). Virgil & Charlotte Huntsinger
March 21, 2011
Good ole George. Hope he finds Ole Bardharl up there in heaven. The original Ballard crew is almost gone. To me, this crew includes Laffertys, Bardhals, Olsens.
A. Moores
March 19, 2011
George has been a significant figure in my life - having grown up amongst the Johnson family (being the neice of Evelyn and Johnnie Johnson). George's encouraging words and loving ways will always be remembered. It was not long ago that I visited him at his office in Ballard and as was so typical of him - his smile greeted me as I walked in the door. He will be missed but his memory will always live on in my heart.
Sue Calkins Melum
March 19, 2011
Georgy has been a significant figure in my life - having grown up amongst the Johnson family (being the neice of Evelyn and Johnnie Johnson). George's encouraging words and loving ways will always be remembered. It was not long ago that I visited him at his office in Ballard and as was so typical of him - his smile greated me as I walked in the door. He will be missed but his memory will always live on in my heart.
Sue Calkins Melum
March 19, 2011
thank you so much, uncle dad for loving our family and loving my precious mom, Esther, for all those years. I love you, respect you and admire you for walking the talk and helping others so much. God bless you, I will always miss and love you more then words could ever say. Janet
janet henkel
March 19, 2011
We feel that George has always been part of our lives. He sold us our first home in Greewood. He approach the owner of our second home in Sunset Hill and asked if he would like to sell. "I've got a nice young couple who would like to buy it." We bought the home and lived there for 38 years. Throughout the years, George would often ask us if we wanted to sell. A really focused salesman! Driving by his office in later years, we would see him through the window, near the front door, titled back in his chair reading the newspaper. We will miss him.
Bob & Rosie Stone
March 18, 2011
Sharen Artlip Spencer
March 18, 2011
A memorial service for George will be held at the First Free Methodist Church 3200 3rd Ave W , Seattle, at 1pm on Sunday March 20th. A reception at the church will follow.
Bob Johnson
March 18, 2011
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