Vincent E. Johnson

Vincent E. Johnson, age 97, of Golden Valley, father of ten, attorney and World War II Veteran passed away peacefully at home on Tuesday.

Vincent grew up in north Minneapolis, the only child of Albert and Irene Johnson. He attended De La Salle High School, University of St. Thomas, and University of Minnesota Law School. He joined the Army Air Corps in 1942 and part of the invasion task force on Guam where he was assigned to the Air Command Group until the end of the war. He met the love of his life, Ruby Johnson, on a blind date, married in 1952, and spent 61 years together raising ten children, taking in Hmong refugees, and skiing at Trollhaugen. Vincent occasionally acted, including roles on “Dr. Quinn Medicine Woman” and “It Came from Somewhere Else.” For nearly six decades he was partner in the Minneapolis law firm of Speeter, Johnson, Hautman & Olson. He served as founder and president of the Serra Club Northwest and St. Therese, and was an organizer in the late 1960s of a group of attorneys opposed to the Vietnam War. He always had a kind word, positive attitude, and was amazed that he had so much luck and good fortune.

Pre-deceased by Ruby and great-grandson Andrew.

Vincent is survived by daughters, Paula (Len), Karen T. (Tim), Barbara (Ron) and Bonnie; sons, Patrick (Mary), Allen (Sue), Joseph (Tamara), Thomas, Timothy and Ted (Stewart); 18 grandchildren, including Tracee (Sri), Katie (Jesse), Natalie (Justin), Eva (John), Jesse (Lori), Alex, Emily (David), Jamie (Jim), Alicia, Chalice (Hans), Tommy, Nikolet (Nick), Jackie, Emma, Moritz, Chamonix, Brighton and Soleil; 15 great-grandchildren; as well as nieces and nephews including Janet, Mark and David Johnson.

Private interment.

In lieu of flowers, memorials preferred to Catholic Charities.