Douglas Harvey 'Skip' Johnson

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Johnson, Douglas "Skip" Harvey age 84 of North Branch died on Tuesday, December 12, 2017. Skip was born in Erskine, MN on September 25, 1933 and graduated from high school in 1951, after which he served in the 1950s in the U.S. Navy as a Seabee abroad, including in Morocco. During the 1950s he earned B.A. and M.A. degrees in Biology from St Cloud State University. He taught Biology and other subjects at Brooklyn Center High School and also coached Track and Cross Country. As a teacher and coach he shaped the minds and characters of countless students, athletes and colleagues. Throughout his life he enjoyed outdoor activities from fishing, hunting, and running to ski racing, sailing, and diving. Skip was a disciple of Christ, a loyal son, a dedicated teacher and inspiring coach, a pioneering conservationist, a loving husband, a generous father, and a man of few words and much wisdom. Skip is survived by his beloved wife Mary Lidbury and her children Lynn and Craig, his children Bruce, David and Jody and their mother Rose Marie DeFrance, and his dear friend and fishing buddy, Gary DeFrance. Visitation will be held Sat., Dec. 16 at 10:00 am with a Memorial Service at 11:00 am at Main Street Church (west entrance) 6500 Main Street, North Branch, MN 55056. Come as you are to our informal celebration of Doug's life. In lieu of flowers, donations to Main Street Church of North Branch. Grandstrand Funeral Home grandstrandfh.com

Published on December 13, 2017