OLYMPIA, WA (October 17, 2017) – Retired Covenant pastor Howard Johnson, 91, died Saturday, September 30, in Coeur D’Alene, Idaho.
He was born October 11, 1925, in Foley, Minnesota. He graduated from North Park College and North Park Theological Seminary.
He married Arleen Youngberg on April 18, 1953. She survives.
Howard served Hillsview Covenant Church in Gresham, Oregon; Teien Covenant Church in Drayton, North Dakota; Rochester (Minnesota) Covenant Church; the Evangelical Covenant Church in Milwaukie, Oregon; Sunset Covenant Church in Portland, Oregon; and Grace Community Covenant Church in Olympia, Washington, where he was the first full-time pastor.
Howard was known to roam his neighborhoods knocking on doors because he wanted to meet his neighbors and show God’s kindness to them. For many years he spent his days off visiting prisons and jails to meet with those who had been tried, convicted, judged—and forgotten—in order to listen to them and share with them new hope in Christ. His children remember at least 30 different individuals that Howard took in to live with the family at various points, creating dozens of extended family members.
In addition to Arleen, survivors include two sons, Marlan and Evan Johnson; a daughter, Myrna Olson; seven grandchildren, and one great-grandchild.
A memorial service will be conducted at 1 p.m. on Saturday, November 4, at Grace Community Covenant in Olympia. People can submit video tributes online by Monday, October 23.
Memorials may be sent to Orchard Ridge Assisted Living, 624 W. Harrison, Coeur D’Alene, Idaho 83814.
