Our family recently said goodbye to an amazing man — a musician, husband, father, grandfather and friend, Jack Johnson lost his battle with congestive heart failure on Monday, November 22, with family by his side. We will remember most fondly his passion for music, his appreciation of gin and tonics and his unwavering love for his dear wife, Lynne.

John “Jack” Edward Johnson was born on June 6, 1938 in Eureka to Robert and Grace Johnson. A third-generation Humboldt resident, Jack was raised in Weott for most of his life until moving to Eureka in 1956 to attend Humboldt State University. It was there that he met his first wife, Denise Moore, who he married in 1959 and with whom he had four children.

Jack was a gifted musician with a deep passion for music that was a guiding principle of his life. He learned to play the trumpet at age 8 and by 14 was playing in local dance bands across Southern Humboldt. He started the Johnson Music Company in the mid-1970s along with Denise, their friends Chet Petty, Dick Baum and Bill Moehnke, and their son Bob and daughter-in-law Sue. Together they traveled the county playing music for local weddings, dances and parties. Jack particularly loved jazz and could be found on stage at the Dixieland Jazz Festival in Eureka nearly every year during his time as a musician.

While not playing the trumpet, piano, cornet, bass, trombone or tenor guitar, Jack was known as the local paint expert. Though he explored many interests early on — working as a local butcher, mailman and tinkering with electronics, computers and other cutting-edge technologies far before it was mainstream — Jack eventually found his calling as a paint mixer and salesman and in 1979, he opened a family owned and operated paint store on Fifth Street in Eureka. The paint store was the first in the county to carry Benjamin Moore paint, and Jack quickly became the go-to guy for painting advice, techniques and troubleshooting. After owning the paint store for more than 25 years, Jack finished out his career behind the paint counter at Shafer’s Ace Hardware in Eureka, where he was known and loved by many for his experience, knowledge and friendly attitude.

After marrying Lynne Wright in 1999, Jack developed a love for travel. Lynne worked as a travel agent at Dalianes Travel Service in Eureka and she used her travel experience to show Jack the world. The two traveled for much of their marriage; embarking on numerous journeys and cruises to destinations such as France, Italy, Greece, Mexico and Hawaii, and they were often joined by Lynne’s sisters or their dear friends Mike and Diane Barmore.

Jack’s love of music spanned his entire life and he continued to perform long after his professional retirement. In his nearly 70 years as a musician, Jack played in more than 20 different bands and musical groups. One of his favorite bands was the Freshwater 450, a local brass/jazz band in which he played with some of his dearest friends and bandmates. His other bands included the Pistol River Band, the Hall Street Honkers, The Scotia Band, The Horn Band and the Fog Town Strummers, who were often spotted playing at care homes, weddings, Christmas shows and other community events.

Jack is preceded in death by his parents, Robert Edward Johnson and Grace Johnson Cruz; his aunt Elaine Johnson Wood and uncle Everett Wood. He is survived by his wife Lynne, with whom he shared a profound love for the past 31 years. He is also survived by his sister, Roberta (Del) Poppelreiter, his first wife Denise, his son Bob (Sue), his daughters Janine (Mark), Geri (Alan) and Jackie (Fred), his stepson Benny Wright (Ryanne Wheeler), his grandchildren Patrick, Danica, Collin, Aaron, Maddie and Natalie and his great-granddaughters Kennedy and Harper. Additionally, Jack is survived by his dearest friends, Larry Dake and George Isenhart.

Jack’s family sincerely appreciates the heartfelt condolences and gestures memorializing our dear husband, father, grandfather and friend. In lieu of flowers or donations, Jack would have loved for any offerings or remembrances to be made by making, watching, or dancing to live music — preferably from local bands and musicians — and by making sure to tip your performers well.

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The obituary above was submitted on behalf of Jack Johnson’s loved ones. The Lost Coast Outpost runs obituaries of Humboldt County residents at no charge. See guidelines here.