John Ross Johnson

Johnson, John Ross 6/16/1944-2/24/2023 Ann Arbor, MI. John R. Johnson passed away peacefully with family at his side on February 24, 2023 in Ft. Myers, FL, after a long, courageous battle with pancreatic cancer. He was born in New York City, NY, the son of John C. and Lucile A. (Ross) Johnson. Although he lived in various places during his early years while his father pitched for the Yankees and the White Sox, he spent most of his life in Ann Arbor, where he graduated from Pioneer High School in 1962. After graduation, John entered the IBEW 252 apprenticeship program. As a journeyman, he worked his whole career for Dunn Electric, where he was quickly promoted to job superintendent overseeing Dunn’s largest commercial projects. The last several years before retirement, John served as the company’s estimator.

In 1964, John married the love of his life, Judi Stornant. John and Judi always believed that fate had brought them together since, even though they attended the same high school for three years, they didn’t know each other until they met in New York City while on their senior class trip, one month before graduation.

John and Judi had two children, Laura Lynn and John David. John was a devoted husband and father. He took his family camping almost every summer, visiting several beautiful Michigan state parks. One special camping adventure was a month-long trip westward to camp in Yellowstone National Park (where they froze) and then visit Mt. Rushmore and the Black Hills of South Dakota. John supported his children in all of their endeavors, coaching his son’s baseball and basketball teams for several years, always with patience and encouragement. Laura fondly remembers all the times her father took her fishing up north, playing with him in the sofa cushion forts he would help her make, and watching Pink Panther cartoons together on Saturday mornings. She also remembers, not so fondly, the time he hung his prize deer by the feet from her swing set.

John was a kind-hearted man with many talents. He was good at all sports. He played varsity baseball for his high school team, bowled in a league for many years, and played slow-pitch softball for the Dunn Electric team. His passion, however, was golf. John was a member of the Ann Arbor Golf and Outing Club and the Hideaway Country Club in Ft. Myers, FL, where John and Judi have spent their winters since his retirement. In addition to sports, John enjoyed playing cards and was a fierce competitor when playing all types of games. He was an excellent bridge player, having learned the game at a young age while subbing in his mother’s bridge group.

John’s talent did not end with sports and games, however. He was a man who could build or fix almost anything. He spent hours in his workshop making furniture, game boards, and other fine home accessories. He remodeled three homes and built a chalet in the Michaywé recreational community in Gaylord, MI, where the family enjoyed vacationing for years. Judi felt very fortunate to have a husband who could take care of any home maintenance and who never procrastinated. If something needed fixing, it was done within days. His Hideaway community benefited greatly over the years from John’s electrical expertise and willingness to pitch in whenever there was work to be done.

John was preceded in death by his parents; his sister-in-law, Sue Howard, and his brother-in-law, Jim Ely. He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Judi; his daughter, Laura L. Oringer; his son, John D. (Katie) Johnson; grandchildren Samantha Oringer, Jessica (Christopher) Broom, Jacob Oringer, Grace Johnson, and Emma Johnson; great-grandchildren Sierra Broom, Luccas Broom, and Jacen Broom; his sister, Linda Ely, of CA; his sister-in-law Christine (Joe) Stornant; and his brother-in-law, Jim Howard.

“In lieu of flowers, please consider supporting the Rogel Cancer Center Pancreatic Cancer Program Fund at the University of Michigan. Checks may be made payable to “University of Michigan” and sent to 777 E. Eisenhower Pkwy., Suite 650, Ann Arbor, MI 48108. Please be sure to include "in memory of John R. Johnson”. You may also call 734-764-6777 or visit victors.us/johnrjohnson to make your gift”

A Celebration of Life for John will be held on June 4th, 2023 from 2-4 p.m. at Ann Arbor Golf and Outing Club, 400 E. Stadium Blvd., Ann Arbor, MI 48104.