In Memory Of
Harold G. Johnson
1934
2017
Harold G. Johnson
July 20, 1934 — October 3, 2017
Services & Gatherings
Visitation:
Friday, October 6, 2017 from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Newcomer Funeral Home, 837 Mid Rivers Mall Drive, St. Peters, MO 63376
Funeral Mass:
Saturday, October 7, 2017 at 10:00 a.m.
St. Robert Bellarmine Church, 1424 S. 1st Capitol Drive, St. Charles, MO 63303
Fr. Patrick Ryan officiating.
Interment, with Military Honors will follow at St. Philippine Cimitiere, St. Charles, MO.
Harold Gene Johnson, age 83, of Saint Charles, Missouri passed away on Tuesday, October 3, 2017 in O'Fallon, Missouri. He was born in St. Louis, Missouri on July 20, 1934 to Edward and Betty Johnson (nee Burton).
Harold was an Attorney at Johnson and Johnson Law Firm, a U. S. Army Veteran and member of St. Robert Bellarmine Catholic Church. He married the former Susan Giesecke on October 10, 1953 in St. Louis, Missouri.
Harold is survived by his Wife, Susan, of Saint Charles, MO; his children, H. Mark (Sue Anne) Johnson of Jacksonville, FL, Deborah S. (Robert) Schnitzer of Gerald, MO, Michael R. (Kathy Verdicchio) Johnson of Lake Saint Louis, MO, daughter in law, Vicky Johnson, Laura A. (Joe) Schwent of St. Charles, MO, and Mitchell D. (Susan) Johnson of St. Charles, MO; 17 Grandchildren and 8 plus Great-grandchildren; a Brother, Ronald Johnson, of St. Louis, MO and three nieces, Lynn, Janice and Jackie, and many aunts, uncles and cousins from Farmington, Missouri.
He was preceded in death by his Father, Edward Johnson; Mother and Step-Father, Betty and Lee Pallister; and Beloved Granddaughter, Christa Marie Johnson.
Harold attended grade school in Doe Run, Missouri. He then moved to Green Bay, Wisconsin and graduated from East High in 1952. Harold was a life-long Green Bay Packer fan thereafter.
He met his beloved wife of 64 years, Sue, on a blind date a year after high school and they were married a few months later. He served two years in the U.S. Army in Germany from 1954-56. He completed his business and law degrees at Washington University in 1962. During his 5 1/2 years of education, he managed to support his wife and 4 children by throwing a paper route for the Globe-Democrat each morning commencing at 3:30 a.m. and working at a gas station at night. He also worked part-time for the law firm of Schomburg, Marshall & Craig during law school. Upon graduation, Harold had articles written about that were republished around the country entitled, "Law Student Supports 6 As Paper Boy" and "W.U. Student Supports Family on Globe Route."
He opened his own law practice in March, 1964 in Overland, Missouri. In April, 1967, he moved his office to the brand new "500 Building" at Northwest Plaza, where he practiced law for 46 years. In 1988, he brought his youngest son, Mitchell, into the practice. They relocated their office to St. Charles, Missouri in 2013. In 1973, he was elected Municipal Judge of the City of Bridgeton where he served 6 terms until he retired from the bench in 1985.
As Judge of Bridgeton, he garnered national attention and received multiple awards from the Pro-Life community when he found not guilty the first 40 cases, and then summarily dismissed the several hundred other Trespassing cases, which were pending against protestors for conducting pro-life sit-ins at a Bridgeton abortion clinic. When asked by a reporter why he did such a thing, he was quoted as saying, "It saddens my heart that those who are merely trying to save lives, are subject to criminal prosecution."
He later volunteered to represent hundreds of pro-life peaceful protesters pro bono, including representing a Catholic priest accused of trespassing for handing a pro-life pamphlet through a car window in a jury trial in St. Louis County Circuit Court, and filed a federal appellate brief in Florida on behalf of an activist accused of similar conduct. Harold practiced law in Missouri for over 50 years. There was not a more zealous advocate for his clients than Harold G. Johnson, often times with little or no means to pay for his legal services.
Harold and Sue shared a truly remarkable, never-ending love story. They passed that love onto their children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and many generations to come. Harold enjoyed spending time with his family and always made them a priority. He was a loving, involved, approachable, and encouraging father who supported a young family while attending college and law school and throughout his professional career. He was their number one fan. Despite his busy law career, he always made time to attend school events and coached various sports for his five children. That tradition continued with Harold and Sue's grandchildren. You could always find them attending Grandparent Days, graduations, and sporting events. The family cherished time with Harold and Sue and eagerly anticipated the annual family vacation in St. Augustine, Florida with them. Harold was passionate about the Green Bay Packers, a love many family members inherited and will carry on his legacy.
Harold taught by example and bestowed valuable life lessons upon his children and grandchildren over the years. He preached the importance of family and always appreciated one another. Harold never said an unkind word about anyone. He never turned away someone who needed help and became a lawyer to represent the underprivileged. He would give the shirt off his back and the last dollar in his pocket. He always rooted for the underdog. He believed a person's wealth was never measured by their monetary possessions, but became rich by their love and happiness.
Harold lived life every day with a passion for justice and a strong desire to serve others. He selflessly thought about others before himself. Everyone around him and everyone he met experienced his kindness, compassion, altruism and his warm smile. He was wise, humble, honest, noble, and respected for being so. He will continue to live in the hearts of all who were fortunate enough to know and love him.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials in Harold's name to the Alzheimer's Association Greater Missouri, 9370 Olive Blvd.,
St. Louis, MO 63132-3214. http://www.alz.org/greatermissouri
To share a memory of Harold, or leave a special message for his family, please visit the guestbook below.
Visitation:
Friday, October 6, 2017 from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Newcomer Funeral Home, 837 Mid Rivers Mall Drive, St. Peters, MO 63376
Funeral Mass:
Saturday, October 7, 2017 at 10:00 a.m.
St. Robert Bellarmine Church, 1424 S. 1st Capitol Drive, St. Charles, MO 63303
Fr. Patrick Ryan officiating.
Interment, with Military Honors will follow at St. Philippine Cimitiere, St. Charles, MO.
Harold Gene Johnson, age 83, of Saint Charles, Missouri passed away on Tuesday, October 3, 2017 in O'Fallon, Missouri. He was born in St. Louis, Missouri on July 20, 1934 to Edward and Betty Johnson (nee Burton).
Harold was an Attorney at Johnson and Johnson Law Firm, a U. S. Army Veteran and member of St. Robert Bellarmine Catholic Church. He married the former Susan Giesecke on October 10, 1953 in St. Louis, Missouri.
Harold is survived by his Wife, Susan, of Saint Charles, MO; his children, H. Mark (Sue Anne) Johnson of Jacksonville, FL, Deborah S. (Robert) Schnitzer of Gerald, MO, Michael R. (Kathy Verdicchio) Johnson of Lake Saint Louis, MO, daughter in law, Vicky Johnson, Laura A. (Joe) Schwent of St. Charles, MO, and Mitchell D. (Susan) Johnson of St. Charles, MO; 17 Grandchildren and 8 plus Great-grandchildren; a Brother, Ronald Johnson, of St. Louis, MO and three nieces, Lynn, Janice and Jackie, and many aunts, uncles and cousins from Farmington, Missouri.
He was preceded in death by his Father, Edward Johnson; Mother and Step-Father, Betty and Lee Pallister; and Beloved Granddaughter, Christa Marie Johnson.
Harold attended grade school in Doe Run, Missouri. He then moved to Green Bay, Wisconsin and graduated from East High in 1952. Harold was a life-long Green Bay Packer fan thereafter.
He met his beloved wife of 64 years, Sue, on a blind date a year after high school and they were married a few months later. He served two years in the U.S. Army in Germany from 1954-56. He completed his business and law degrees at Washington University in 1962. During his 5 1/2 years of education, he managed to support his wife and 4 children by throwing a paper route for the Globe-Democrat each morning commencing at 3:30 a.m. and working at a gas station at night. He also worked part-time for the law firm of Schomburg, Marshall & Craig during law school. Upon graduation, Harold had articles written about that were republished around the country entitled, "Law Student Supports 6 As Paper Boy" and "W.U. Student Supports Family on Globe Route."
He opened his own law practice in March, 1964 in Overland, Missouri. In April, 1967, he moved his office to the brand new "500 Building" at Northwest Plaza, where he practiced law for 46 years. In 1988, he brought his youngest son, Mitchell, into the practice. They relocated their office to St. Charles, Missouri in 2013. In 1973, he was elected Municipal Judge of the City of Bridgeton where he served 6 terms until he retired from the bench in 1985.
As Judge of Bridgeton, he garnered national attention and received multiple awards from the Pro-Life community when he found not guilty the first 40 cases, and then summarily dismissed the several hundred other Trespassing cases, which were pending against protestors for conducting pro-life sit-ins at a Bridgeton abortion clinic. When asked by a reporter why he did such a thing, he was quoted as saying, "It saddens my heart that those who are merely trying to save lives, are subject to criminal prosecution."
He later volunteered to represent hundreds of pro-life peaceful protesters pro bono, including representing a Catholic priest accused of trespassing for handing a pro-life pamphlet through a car window in a jury trial in St. Louis County Circuit Court, and filed a federal appellate brief in Florida on behalf of an activist accused of similar conduct. Harold practiced law in Missouri for over 50 years. There was not a more zealous advocate for his clients than Harold G. Johnson, often times with little or no means to pay for his legal services.
Harold and Sue shared a truly remarkable, never-ending love story. They passed that love onto their children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and many generations to come. Harold enjoyed spending time with his family and always made them a priority. He was a loving, involved, approachable, and encouraging father who supported a young family while attending college and law school and throughout his professional career. He was their number one fan. Despite his busy law career, he always made time to attend school events and coached various sports for his five children. That tradition continued with Harold and Sue's grandchildren. You could always find them attending Grandparent Days, graduations, and sporting events. The family cherished time with Harold and Sue and eagerly anticipated the annual family vacation in St. Augustine, Florida with them. Harold was passionate about the Green Bay Packers, a love many family members inherited and will carry on his legacy.
Harold taught by example and bestowed valuable life lessons upon his children and grandchildren over the years. He preached the importance of family and always appreciated one another. Harold never said an unkind word about anyone. He never turned away someone who needed help and became a lawyer to represent the underprivileged. He would give the shirt off his back and the last dollar in his pocket. He always rooted for the underdog. He believed a person's wealth was never measured by their monetary possessions, but became rich by their love and happiness.
Harold lived life every day with a passion for justice and a strong desire to serve others. He selflessly thought about others before himself. Everyone around him and everyone he met experienced his kindness, compassion, altruism and his warm smile. He was wise, humble, honest, noble, and respected for being so. He will continue to live in the hearts of all who were fortunate enough to know and love him.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials in Harold's name to the Alzheimer's Association Greater Missouri, 9370 Olive Blvd.,
St. Louis, MO 63132-3214. http://www.alz.org/greatermissouri
To share a memory of Harold, or leave a special message for his family, please visit the guestbook below.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Harold G. Johnson, please visit our flower store.
Service Schedule
Past Services
Visitation
Friday, October 6, 2017
4:00 - 8:00 pm (Central time)
Newcomer Cremations, Funerals & Receptions
Service
Saturday, October 7, 2017
Starts at 10:00 am (Central time)
St. Robert Bellermaine Catholic Church
Guestbook
Visits: 8
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