Obituary of Harry Johnson

Harry Dean Johnson, 86, recently of Pullman, WA and a longtime resident of Columbia, SC, passed away on Wednesday, Dec. 19, 2012 at Pullman Regional Hospital. Harry was born Nov. 30, 1926 in Minden, NE to Henning & Hilda (Carlson) Johnson. He grew up in Nebraska and following his high school graduation, Harry entered the US Army serving during WWII. After his honorable discharge Harry returned to Nebraska and attended the University of Nebraska in Lincoln where he earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering. Harry met Mabelline Mixon after moving to Georgia in a local bowling league and they were married in Augusta, GA in 1967. The family moved to Columbia, SC where they made their home. Harry went to work as a civil engineer for the SC Highway Dept. in the Bridge Division for many years, retiring in 1993. Following Mabelline?s death in 2011 he moved to Pullman, WA to live with his son and family. Harry was a longtime member of Gethsemane Lutheran Church in Columbia, SC. He enjoyed fishing, bowling, playing cards and spending time with his family. He is survived by his son and wife Dean (Nairanjana) Jan Johnson of Pullman; his two grandchildren Tage & Meghna Johnson; two step-daughters Penny Grove (Ken) & Carol Day (Buddy); a sister Gloria Albright; two brothers Howard (Roberta) Johnson and Carl (Margaret) Johnson and three step-grandchildren. The funeral service will be held Saturday December 29, 2012 at 2pm at Gethsemane Lutheran Church, 6904 Satchelford Road, Columbia SC 29206; Reverend D. Luther Swicegood, officiating. The family will receive friends at 1pm until the hour of service at the church. Interment with military honors will follow in Greenlawn Memorial Park, Serenity Gardens. Pallbearers will be Dan Christmas, Raymond Hendrix, Harold Yoder, Witte Koopman, Buddy Smyrl, Joe Martin, Tony Shealy and Vern Cain. Greenlawn Funeral Home is handling the arrangements. Online condolences may be sent to www.greenlawn-columbia.com