Gregg Alan Johnson

Gregg A. Johnson was born on January 6, 1947, in St. Paul, Minnesota, to Milo and Dorothy Johnson. As a young man, he moved frequently with his family due to his father's career as a heavy equipment salesman. Along the way, Gregg picked up many of the passions that would stay with him for life-learning to golf in Phoenix and to ski in Flagstaff, Arizona. It was in Flagstaff that he formed a lasting friendship with the Crick brothers, Bill and Dale.

In 1963, Gregg's family relocated to Hermosa Beach, California, where his love for the ocean truly took hold. He spent countless hours surfing and soaking in the coastal lifestyle. He graduated from Mira Costa High School with the Class of 1965.

Following graduation, Gregg joined the United States Navy- inspired in part by the Crick brothers. He completed basic training at Camp Pendleton and was later stationed at Barber's Point in Hawaii, where he worked as an aircraft maintenance technician. His service took him to both Hawaii and Vietnam. During this time, he experienced the profound loss of his friend Dale Crick, who was killed in action in Quang Tri Province in February 1969-the same year Gregg was honorably discharged.

After his service, Gregg returned briefly to Hawaii but soon found himself drawn back to the mainland. He settled in Flagstaff, Arizona, where he became the on-site manager of the Arizona Snowbowl ski lodge. Living in a small room above the lodge, Gregg built a Navajo weaving loom-later destroyed by a raccoon he had tried, unsuccessfully, to domesticate. This story perfectly captured his adventurous and unconventional spirit. He managed the lodge year-round, renting skis and working ski patrol in the winter, and registering hikers and assisting with search and rescue in the summer.
Gregg had a natural gift for connecting with people. Like his father, he could strike up a conversation with anyone- "even a tree, if it talked back." Eventually, he made his way to Oregon with his two dogs and his friend Danny. A self-taught carpenter, artist, and true jack-of-all-trades, Gregg worked on a cattle ranch in Eastern Oregon alongside his trusted companions, Bill and Glenn.

On April 1, 1978, Gregg married the love of his life, Leslie, after being set up on a blind date by his younger sister. Together, they built a life rooted in creativity and hard work. Gregg went on to build beautiful homes throughout the Portland metro area and remodel numerous residential and commercial properties. There was little he couldn't learn or master.

Never one to sit still, Gregg developed a passion for sailing. He purchased a 33-foot cruiser named Wave Dancer and explored the waters of the San Juan Islands, the Straits of Juan de Fuca, the Columbia River, and beyond. His adventures eventually took him as far as Honduras and Belize, where he lived for a year.

Always chasing sunsets, Gregg had his boat transported to Florida in 2001, where he moored it at the municipal marina in St. Petersburg. There, he formed close friendships with people from all walks of life. Sailors, surfers, craftsmen, artists and writers. A special mention to Dr. Tom and Marge- two of his friends that he loved and respected. Gregg continued to live life fully-delivering boats for friends, mastering the craft of sewing canvas for sailboats, and becoming an enthusiastic supporter and member of The Dalí Museum in St. Petersburg.
Gregg is survived by his former spouse, Leslie Johnson of Pinellas Park, Florida; his two kitties Lexi and Bella: sister Wendy of Portland, Oregon; nephew Luke of St. Helens, Oregon; niece Dawn of Albuquerque, New Mexico; nephew Jake of Portland, Oregon; niece Ingrid and son of Portland, Oregon ; former sister-in-law Nancy of La Grande, Oregon; niece Christy of Hood River, Oregon; niece Gina and her two sons of Milton-Freewater, Oregon; nephew Jeremy of Walla Walla, Washington ; and great nephew Ethan and son of Dubai; and many more friends and loved ones whose lives he touched along the way.

Gregg left this world too soon, but it's easy to imagine him still out there-somewhere-chasing sunsets.

May the road rise up to meet you. May the wind be always at your back. May the sun shine warm upon your face; the rains fall soft upon your fields, and until we meet again, may God hold you in the palm of his hand.

Rest in peace, Gregg