02/01/2010: "Kurt Daniel Johnson"

April 16, 1959 ~ January 20, 2010

Kurt Daniel Johnson was born and raised in the community of Ballard in Seattle Washington. His love for the outdoors began with time spent at the family cabin on Lake Whatcom, Camp Orkila, cub scouting and family camping trips. He climbed Mount Rainier and hiked all over the Cascades and the Olympic Mountains.

His love of music began at an early age. He picked up his first guitar at 10 years old and became an accomplished guitar player playing and singing in local Seattle bands, APB, the Silverbacks, the Falcons, and most recently Vinyl Stage. His love of music was diverse ranging from Beethoven to Doobie Brothers to Ella Fitzgerald and of course, Rock ‘n Roll. He was an accomplished graphic artist and photographer. His photos from his climbs and camping trips are beautiful.

He fought a brave battle with his cancer for three years. He did not like to talk about it saying, “I’d rather spend every day living than dying” and he did that, hanging on to his independence to the very end. As tired as he was he walked to Hattie’s Hat for breakfast the Saturday before he left us. He endured without complaining and with a stoic sense of humor that is inspiring.

His friends helped him realize a dream in his last year arranging for him to ride a motorcycle with his friends on a road trip that was a highlight of his life. He sailed with a friend to Port Townsend and boated in the San Juan Islands with family.

Among other adventures, he journeyed up the inside passage to Alaska when he was 14 and commercial fished in his twenties. He jumped out of a plane and parachuted. He lived his life his own way. He was a loyal friend and very fond of his niece and nephews and was Uncle Kurt to many kids that he was close to.

He is preceded by his parents, John & Inge Johnson, two brothers, Paul &
Eric Johnson and his beloved Golden Retriever, Luther. He leaves behind his brother and sister in law Robert & Shauna Johnson of Ballard, Washington, his sister Ellen Johnson of Friday Harbor, Washington, his niece Lauren Johnson of Ballard, his nephew Jacob Johnson of San Diego, and his nephew John Daniel Johnson of Friday Harbor.

We love him and will miss him always. Kurt’s farewell party will be held at the Nordic Heritage Museum in Ballard on Saturday February 20, 2010 from 6 pm on. Potluck and please bring any photos, memories, and memorabilia to share.