Harvey Johnson

James Johnson USN

(Ret) passed away on 23

March, 2023, in

Surprise, AZ.

Harvey loved the Un-

ited States, its armed

forces, and was a proud

Son of the American

Revolution (SAR). A

servant leader, Harvey

aspired to serve his na-

tion and community

ahead of personal ob-

jectives, wherever he

was asked. All of this

came second however

to his love for his fami-

ly as a Husband, Fa-

ther, Uncle, Brother,

and Grandfather – and

his love for his friends.

His faith continued to

be a staunch anchor in

his life and he was tru-

ly blessed by a wonder-

ful group of friends

here in Arizona. He is

greatly missed and will

live in our hearts forev-

er.

He was born on April

28, 1926, to Harvey

Joseph Johnson and El-

ise Augusta (Pedersen)

Johnson on a farm in

Burlington, North

Dakota. He attended

high school in Minot,

North Dakota, graduat-

ing in 1943. He attend-

ed Texas A&M College

before enlisting in the

Navy V-12 Program and

briefly attending the

University of Minneso-

ta, prior to appointment

to and graduation from

the U.S. Naval Aca-

demy in June 1947.

Harvey had a success-

ful career in the Navy,

serving on several ships

culminating in com-

mand of USS Halsey

Powell (DD-686), at-

taining the rank of

Commander. Ashore,

Harvey’s last tour in the

Navy was commanding

Skiffes Creek Annex,

Naval Weapons Station,

Yorktown, VA.

After 24 years of com-

missioned service, he

retired from the Navy

and became Adminis-

trator for the Evangeli-

cal Lutheran Good

Samaritan Society nurs-

ing homes and apart-

ments in Pine River

and then Greenacres,

WA. He excelled at eld-

er care and served a

term on the Good

Samaritan Society

Board of Directors, was

appointed to the Wash-

ington State Governors

Advisory Council, and

was recognized as an

Administrator Emeritus

after his retirement.

Additionally, he often

found himself in ser-

vice to his community

as a church officer, as

president of the local

school board in Min-

nesota, and dedicated

supporter of the Sun

City West Organ and

Keyboard Club.

He is predeceased by

his beloved wife, Evin-

da (Vicki), sisters Ida,

Evelyn, and his son

Steven. He is survived

by his brother Ken

Johnson, his daughter

Pam (David) Hibbert,

son David (Dorothy)

Johnson and four

grandchildren.

A viewing will be

held at the Menke Fun-

eral Home in Sun City,

AZ, from 2PM – 5PM,

Thursday, 27 April,

2023, with internment

to follow at National

Memorial Cemetery of

Arizona at 1:30 PM,

Friday, 28 April, 2023,

with military honors.

There will be a cele-

bration of life at Fel-

lowship Square in

Surprise, AZ, at 1 PM,

Saturday 29 April,

2023.

In lieu of flowers,

please consider making

donations to Mayo Hos-

pital: https://www.

mayoclinic.org/giving-t

o-mayo-clinic.

Published by The

Minot Daily News,

April 15, 2023.