Patrick A. Johnson

Patrick A. Johnson
Denver, CO
September 17, 1952 - December 6, 2023
Patrick Arthur Johnson, 71, passed away on December 6, 2023, at his home in Littleton, Colorado. He was born on September 17th, 1952, in Burlington, NC, to Edward and Mary Jo Johnson, but lived for most of his youth in Benzonia, Michigan, graduating from Benzie Central in 1970. He went on to earn a BA in Music from Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo, followed by a Masters in Music from the University of Colorado Boulder. It was there that he met the young Ann Fulton, an undergrad from Cleveland. The two shared a love of music, hiking, and family. They soon fell in love and married, a union that would last 44 years and produce two children, Dylan Edward Johnson and Meghan Johnson Palmer (Brent). All three survive.
Patrick was that rare person with strong skills on both sides of the brain. After his two degrees in music, he decided to pursue Architecture, earning another Master's degree in 1984 from the University of Colorado Denver. This was to be his life's work, including both residential and commercial projects; his favorite was the Byron Rogers U.S. Federal Building Courthouse, which occupies an entire city block in downtown Denver. The redesign and modernization of this gorgeous neoclassical building took years and cost upwards of 45 million dollars.
Patrick loved the mountains, and a frequent pastime was hiking and exploring, often with Ann and the children at his side. Road trips home to the sandy beaches and blue waters of NW Michigan were another source of deep pleasure, but overall it was his devotion to family and friends that brought him the greatest satisfaction. It was no surprise that both children were musical, and he delighted in attending their recitals and concerts. He continued to nourish his own musical talents as well, publishing an arrangement of The Irish Blessing and composing a piece that son Dylan would perform for his senior recital at CU Denver.
Last, but certainly not least, was Patrick the Reader. Customary descriptors like "avid" or "voracious" are inadequate. Patrick consumed books, and the breadth of his reading life was remarkable. You might note the smooth ride of a car; he would discourse on the engineering dynamics of wishbone suspension. A casual mention of the Oxford dictionary could lead to an informative half hour on 18th-century efforts to create it: "Did you know one of the major contributors was mad? Actually insane?" Conversations with Patrick were a marvel. He will be uniquely missed; there was no one like him.
In addition to his wife and two children, Patrick is survived by a beloved granddaughter, Ava Elizabeth Palmer; brothers David (Jenny, deceased), Shaun (Chris Kitzman), Timothy (Ewa Einhorn), and a sister, Sarah Jane (Bob Babich); sister-and-brother in-laws Tom Fulton (Kathy Hardesty), Janet Taylor (Rick), Joan Gangle (Alan), Jane Wegener (Dave), and Bob Fulton (Teri); nieces and nephews Kimberly Johnson, Mark Johnson (deceased), Rory Johnson, Jesse Einhorn-Johnson, Madigan Johnson, Flannery Johnson, Nora Johnson, Alison Gangl, Adam Gangl, Susan Taylor, Sarah Good, Katie Donovan, Courtney Fulton, and Blake Fulton.
A Celebration of Life Gathering will be held at the Mill's Community House in Benzonia on Saturday, July 6, with a formal program from 2:00 - 3:00, followed by informal social time and light snacks from 3:00 -- 5:00 p.m. Please join us to remember Patrick!