Johnson, Frederic James of Hopkins died peacefully November 5th, 2022 at the age of 85 due to complications with cancer. The son of James and Thelma (Awrey) Johnson, Fred was born in Orange, New Jersey. His family moved to Minneapolis when Fred was 5 and he spent most of his life in the Twin Cities. He graduated from Roosevelt High School in 1954 and the University of Minnesota, where he majored in journalism, in 1958. He met the love of his life, Jeanne Smith of Minneapolis, when they were in their late teens. They were married in the fall of 1958 and immediately began a life of many adventures. While Fred was on active duty as an Army reservist, they lived for a few months in Georgia and a few months in Missouri. Living for a time in the Jim Crow South made them strong supporters of the Civil Rights movement in the 1960's. Following Fred's military service, the Johnson's moved to Minot, North Dakota, where Fred worked as a writer for the Minot Daily News from 1959 to 1964. They enjoyed living in western North Dakota and both of their children were born in Minot. Late in 1963 Fred applied for a Congressional Fellowship (under a program sponsored by the American Political Science Association), figuring his chances of success were minimal. He was surprised! Fred was awarded a fellowship and in the fall of 1964 Fred and Jeanne and their small family headed for Washington, D.C. in their Dodge Dart, hauling a trailer that contained most of their possessions. In their year in Washington, Fred spent most of his time at the U.S. Capitol, working first for a member of the House and then for a member of the Senate. It was an exhilarating experience. Towards the end of the Johnsons' stay in Washington, Fred landed a reporting job with the old Minneapolis (morning) Tribune. So, the Johnsons returned to Minnesota after living elsewhere for seven years, and the Minneapolis suburbs became their permanent home base. Fred worked for the Tribune from 1965 to 1971. Fred loved newspaper work, but, seeking a job with a more regular schedule and a little less stress, he accepted a position in the Hennepin County communications department. He worked at Hennepin for 22 years. In their late 50's Fred and Jeanne retired from full-time work to devote much of their time to volunteer work, watching their grandchildren mature, and travel. By the time health issues put a stop to travel, Fred and Jeanne had visited some 35 countries and all 50 states. Always interested in politics, but rarely an activist, Fred was proud that he played a small role in Barack Obama's first campaign for president. Fred's other interests included writing, photography, American history and literature, cinema, and many varieties of music. Fred's survivors include his beloved wife of 64 years; son Randy (Sharon) Johnson and daughter Shelley Molden; grandchildren Douglas (Amanda) Molden and Emma (Connor) Molden; and great-grandson Nolan Molden. Also surviving are his brother, Paul (Pat); sisters Nancy Ensrud and Elizabeth Ibis; and numerous nieces and nephews. A memorial service will be held Friday November 18th, 2022 at 2PM at the Cremation Society of MN, 7110 France Avenue South, Edina. In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial to the American Cancer Society.

Published on November 13, 2022