Harry Johnson

HARRY 'FRED' JOHNSON ROCKFORD - Harry "Fred" Johnson, died peacefully Monday, July 28, 2014, at his lake home in Phelps, WI. Fred was born April 15, 1927, in Rockford, IL. Fred was a lifelong resident of Rockford and Belvidere. In 1945, he graduated from Rockford East High School. He enlisted in the Navy and served at Great Lakes Naval Base and in Jacksonville, FL. Upon completion of his service, he joined his father's construction business, Harry V. Johnson and Sons, with his brother, Phil. They built many notable homes in the Rockford area, including designs by Frank Lloyd Wright. He and his wife, Barbara, founded Barbara A. Johnson Antiques and were in business for over 30 years. It became a renowned destination for quality American and Scandinavian antiques, and they traveled to the East Coast and Sweden on numerous occasions buying antiques and visiting their many friends. From early childhood, Fred spent time at Long Lake in Phelps, WI, at his family cabin and later his own lake house. He loved fishing and being in nature. Long Lake was his first love and it was there that he passed away on a beautiful summer day in his comfortable chair. We are grateful that God granted him this mercy. The family would like to extend their sincerest gratitude to his special caregivers, Casey Perez, Brittany Johnson, Kristal Fare, Heather Mackusick, Tabitha Randolph, and Bethany Smith. He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Barbara A.; daughters, Ginny (Don) Eames of Eden Prairie, MN and Jill (Jim) Warsaw of Wausau, WI; son, Britt (Paula) Johnson of Machesney Park, IL; grandsons, Geoff (Sarah) Eames and Tim Eames, both of Dallas, TX; granddaughters, Brittany and Kayla of Machesney Park; twin brother, Phil (Lorna) Johnson of Rockford; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins. He is predeceased by his parents, Harry and Ruth Johnson; sisters, Barbara Ericson and Elaine Kime; brother, Richard Johnson; and infant grandson, Christopher Eames. A memorial service will be at 11 a.m. Friday, August 1, 2014, in Anderson Gardens Visitors Center, 318 Spring Creek Rd., Rockford. Memorial visitation will be from 10 to 10:45 a.m. prior to the service in the Visitor Center. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to Phelps Women's Club, 2275 Highway 17, Phelps, WI 54554 or The Salvation Army, Belvidere Corps, 422 S. Main St., Belvidere, IL 61008, in memory of Fred Johnson. To share a memory or online condolence, visit olsonfh.com.