Dr. Harry Alvin Johnson, Jr.

Johnson, Harry A., Jr., M.D. Harry (Jack, 'Dr. J', 'Doc', 'Cactus Jack') Alvin Johnson, Jr. M.D. Whether in the ER, the OR, or on the kitchen table 'Dr. J' was known by many. Loving husband, father, father-inlaw, grandfather, brother, uncle and friend, passed away peacefully, surrounded by family, on November 15, 2024, at the age of 90. Harry is lovingly remembered by his wife of 30 years, Judith, his children, Harry III (Lynne), Sargent (Melissa), Steven, and Anne, stepson Chris (Andrea), grandchildren, Gunnar, Davey, Georgia, Nelle, Sargent Jr., Julia, Steven Jr., Gregory Jr., Helen, Charlotte, step-granddaughter (Samantha), sister Kathleen (Kay) Erickson and many loving nieces and nephews. Born October 30, 1934, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, Harry (Jack) lived a full and accomplished life. He grew up in Edina, MN and graduated from Edina High School in 1952 where he was a competitive football and basketball player, served on the Student Council, and was editor of the yearbook. He graduated Cum Laude with a BA from Gustavus Adolphus and was awarded the 'St. Ansgar Award for Leadership and Scholarship'. He moved to Chicago, IL to continue his postgraduate studies at Loyola School of Medicine followed by an internship at Cook County Hospital, a surgical residency at Northwestern University, and a six-month residency at Children's Hospital. In 1965 he moved to Cincinnati, Ohio to complete his plastic surgery residency at John Longacre Christ Hospital. Early in his career, his work in the Emergency Room earned him the respect of his peers and the opportunity to further develop his skill, most notably for complicated facial reconstructive procedures. He was particularly proud of the time he spent at the Smile and Cleft Lip Program, Kingston, Jamaica and the positive impact he had on his patient's lives. He also served as Clinical Instructor of Plastic Surgery, at the U of M and as a Plastic Surgery volunteer at the Gillette State Hospital for Crippled Children, Saint Paul, MN. Over his 43 year career he had affiliations with most Minneapolis hospitals, including Abbott-Northwestern, Swedish St. Barnabas, Southdale, North Memorial, and Methodist. In 1967, he moved to Wayzata, MN with his wife, Helen S. Snyder, where they raised their four children, and he began his private practice. His children and grandchildren were his lifeblood; he made great efforts to be a part of their lives, frequently attending sporting events, making college visits and treating them to wonderful vacations. He was a man true to his Christian faith and later in life took great pride in his Lutheran Bible Study Program. In 1994, he married Judith Sampson (Bermel), moved back to Edina to her family home, and opened the HAJ Cosmetic Surgery Institute. He retired as a surgeon in 2009 but remained involved in many other business pursuits. For many who knew him, whether as a surgeon, family member, or friend, a 'stitch at Doc's' on the kitchen table was a Badge of Honor. He was an admirable storyteller who enjoyed entertaining friends and boating on Lake Minnetonka whenever possible. He loved music, especially Jazz and Big Band, or anything with a good beat. He rarely missed a party and often kept them going well into the night. He had a larger-than-life personality, loved a good joke, and certainly lived to the beat of his own drum. He enjoyed golf, fishing, hunting, boating and horseback riding, and most notably, was a 3-time winner of the Woodhill Invitational Golf Tournament. Other pleasures included frequenting the North Shore and Loon Lake with his family and friends, traveling with his wife Judy to Africa, the Far East and the Lewis and Clark Trail, weekends at the hunting camp, trips out West as 'Cactus Jack' with his three sons for a Cowboy ride, and playing cribbage and backgammon for hours; win or lose. He was an avid reader of Spy Novels and Modern History, especially WWII battles and military weapons. A natural conversationalist, he could talk to anyone about anything but was also a caring listener. He had the ability to put people at ease and give them a welcoming feeling no matter their age or background. He was truly one-of-a-kind and will be greatly missed. He is preceded in death by his parents, Esther and Harry Johnson, M.D., sisters, Joanne Ewing and Mary Bowman, brothers-in-law, Bradley Bowman II, and Gerald Erickson, nieces Tristin Erickson and Sarah Bowman and grandson Andrew Johnson. A Celebration of his life will be held on Monday, December 2, at 2:00 pm at Lakewood Memorial Chapel, Minneapolis. In lieu of flowers, please send memorials to Tunnels to Towers, (www.t2t.org), an organization that he greatly honored. Arrangements: Washburn-McReavy 952-920-3996 www.washburn-mcreavy.com

Tributes

Dr. Harry Alvin Johnson, Jr.

October 30, 1934 - November 15, 2024

Tributes

Dr. Harry Alvin Johnson, Jr.

October 30, 1934 - November 15, 2024

We are here for you 24x7

Call us and get help now

(612) 377-2203