Passing of John Johnson, Fowlerville Michigan

[rodpickett]

With sadness I report the passing of John Johnson, age 90, of Fowlerville Michigan.

John passed Friday, 31 July.

A friend to all who knew him, his laughter, humor and friendship will be missed. John was always willing to share his home, collection and knowledge with anyone.

His depth of knowledge regarding phonographs, movie projectors, light bulbs, clocks ---- the list is nearly endless, was extensive.

MacDonald’s Funeral Home, Howell Michigan, is handling arrangements for the week ending 7 and 8 August. Details, including an obituary, should be available on their website soon.

http://www.macdonaldsfuneralhome.com/fh/home/home.cfm

Condolences may be sent to:

Mr. Ken Stokes
Box 17
Fowlerville, MI 48836

[Phonolair]

I was very sadden when I received the call from Ken about Johns passing, he will be greatly missed by everyone who knew him. He always had a smile on his face and was willing to share his many collections, knowledge and time. He was a stand out in the M.A.P.S. group holding many offices and his famous Johnny Johnson silent auctions.

I remember the first time I met John. It was at a local farm auction almost 40 years ago. We were both bidding on a oak upright phonograph, he won. After the bidding he came up to me and introduced himself. After the auction he invited me (a complete stranger) back to his house to view his collection, that's the type of guy he was.

John Johnson was one of the people that made collecting fun all these years. He was just as interested in seeing your collection as he was showing his own.

Best Regards, Larry Crandell

[VintageTechnologies]

Wow, I had no idea John was still alive until now. I met John and Ken back during the late 1980's when I lived in Lansing - we met through the MAPS club. John invited me to see his collection and it was by far the largest one that I had seen up to that point. He claimed at that time having 400+ phonographs. I spent the whole day there. John enjoyed telling how he acquired some of his machines. The best story regarded his Berliner trademark machine. He was driving down a street in Detroit on trash day and spotted the the base of the Berliner sitting on a curb! Not content with that, he knocked on the door and asked if the people had the horn. They rummaged through their basement while he waited and found it.

RIP, John.

[GrafonolaG50]

My sincerest condolences to Mr. Johnson and all who knew him.

[JerryVan]

John has been my friend for almost 30 years now. Johnny has been one of the most kind, giving and friendly people I have ever known. I have repeatedly been amazed when going with him to a McDonalds, (for a hamburger for him, and one for the dog), where he would strike up a conversation with a group of teens or twenty somethings and begin telling them about his old radios and phonographs. At first I would feel kind of embarrassed for him, thinking these kids do not give a damn about this old guy and his junk. I was wrong. The kids would get all interested, talk about their grandpa's old radio and start asking questions about John's stuff. Before they would part company, John would give them his address and invite them to visit sometime. Quite often they actually did show up and John gave them the grand tour. It was just amazing and a testament to the kind of guy he was. You just could not help liking him.

Another favorite story of mine happened maybe 5 or 6 years ago. John was coming down a ladder from the hayloft of his barn with his arms full of stuff. He figured he was on the last step, so he turned to walk away. Well, he still had a couple steps to go. He went sailing down and fell on the end of a pipe sticking out of the ground. It hit him square in the chest. When he got into the E.R. he was in good deal of pain. The nurse began to take his information and figure out what had happened to him. They first asked him his name. His answer was, "My name is John Johnson, I come from Wisconsin, I make two dollars a day. My girlfriend is Nellie, she jumps on my belly and takes my two dollars away.". They called in the whole nursing staff and made him repeat it. John loved people and loved to make them laugh, even while he himself might have been suffering.

John was part of what we call our country's greatest generation. John is an example of what made it great. I will miss him greatly. I am blessed to have known him and to say he was my friend.

Thank you Rod Pickett for starting this thread.

[Phono-Phan]

I am saddened to hear the news. I will never forget being invited over to see the wonderful collection. It is a visit I will never forget.
Ken Brekke