Russell William Johnson

Russell William Johnson was the youngest of 4 children of Olaf Sten and Rose (Swenson) Johnson. Born and raised in Rockford, Illinois, his father was a Field Service Engineer for Sundstrand Machine Tool Company, and he traveled frequently. In April 1953, at 6 years old, Russ’ father was killed by a drunken driver. His mother began working at a restaurant, and Russ would walk to her workplace at lunchtime. One time, he was hit by a car. Russ attended East Senior High School in Rockford, while working for his father’s employer, Sundstrand Corporation, driving executives. 

Following high school, Russ attended Rock Valley College. After 1 year, he transferred to North Park College, in Chicago, Illinois. Russ met Carol Richart at North Park, and they were married at First Covenant Church in Virginia, Minnesota, in 1968. Russ graduated from North Park in November, 1970. Russ had worked in Colorado during summers for a Young Life camp. He had decided that this was the place to be, and he moved his young family to Arvada, Colorado, joined Arvada Covenant Church, and later became founding members of Christ Community Covenant Church. Russ worked various jobs, from managing a Burger King, to driving a taxi, until he was robbed. He worked for Johnnie Harper Ford until he was hired by Jefferson County Schools. Russ was an elementary school teacher for over 30 years. He taught 1st & 3rd grades and physical education, in schools located in Lakewood, Coal Creek Canyon, and Golden, Colorado.

When school wasn’t in session, Russ had many side jobs. He started Johnson Sod Company, hiring teenagers from his church. He also worked for Youth Conservation Corps camps near Bailey, Colorado. He worked for the Highway Department near the Eisenhower tunnel on Interstate 70. Later, he built Schuss Transportation with a partner, running year around transportation to and from the ski areas and the Denver airport, and delivering lost luggage. 

After retiring from teaching and his other endeavors, he became a health and safety supervisor for Environmental Chemical Company, working locally. In May, 2004, he was hired by Weston Solutions in a similar position, ensuring a safe environment for emergency responders. He responded to environmental clean up efforts following Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, the Joplin tornado, Super Storm Sandy in New Jersey, a Michigan chemical spill, and other disasters. He worked on multiple military bases including Mountain Home Air Force Base, Peterson Air Force Base, and the US Air Force Academy. He retired from Weston in 2012. He worked for a local Arvada-to-Denver International Airport shuttle service, The A-Line, until it closed in 2016. Both Russ and Carol retired at that point, spending more time with the grandchildren and grand-puppy. Russ lived up to his father-in-law’s prediction from 1968: “I don’t have to worry about Carol – Russ will take care of her, because he is a hard worker!” 

Throughout his life, Russ was an avid fisherman and outdoorsman. As a kid in Rockford, Illinois, he would ride the bus by himself to go fishing in the Rock River. There were many trips to Saskatchewan, Ontario, and Minnesota. He organized groups of friends for fishing trips. Most importantly, he patiently taught his children and grandchildren the love of fishing, and gardening. Every year there was big game hunting with his sons and close friends. He enjoyed going to Colorado team sporting events, and was a league official for Colorado Mammoth Lacrosse. He was involved in his children and grandchildren’s activities, including pit crew for amateur racing endeavors, attending many concerts, plays and recitals, and sporting events. He always knew how to get anywhere without a map. 

Russ was diagnosed with Lewy Body Dementia in 2022; his symptoms increasingly limited his abilities. He was cared for at home until February 2024, when he was moved to memory care. He breathed his last on June 29, 2024, with family at his side.

Russ was preceded in death by his father, Olaf Sten Johnson; his mother, Rose Edith Dorothea (Swenson) Johnson; his sister, Patricia Campobello; his brother and sister-in-law, Theodore and Fay Johnson; his sister-in-law, Marilyn Johnson.

Russ is survived by his brother, Bernard Johnson; brother-in-law, Jim Campobello; wife, Carol Johnson; son, Sten Olaf Johnson II; daughter, Britt Sigrid Carlson; son-in-law Terry Carlson; son, Lars Anders Johnson; daughter-in-law Eva Johnson; Grandchildren, Annika and Owen Carlson, Genevieve Johnson; and numerous nieces & nephews.

Memorial Contributions:

 https://giving.covchurch.org/personnel-detail/CathyCampobello

(Please indicate in note section that the gift is in memoriam of Russ Johnson)

 Checks can also be mailed, made payable to:

The Evangelical Covenant Church, PO BOX 773420, Chicago, IL 60677-3420

With a note: In memory of Russ Johnson in support of Cathy Campobello