Richard “Dick” Arnold Johnson, 87, passed away peacefully on June 6, 2024, at home surrounded by his loving family in his hometown of Kenosha, Wisconsin. He was born to the late Arnold W. Johnson and Mary (Etue) Johnson on March 28, 1937. He was the oldest of three children, including the late Robert C. Johnson and Judith Crates of Santa Clara, California.
Dick attended St. Mark’s Catholic Grade School and graduated from St. Mary’s Catholic High School in Kenosha. He continued his education at Marquette University and Lorus University in Dubuque, Iowa. While at St. Mary’s High School, he passed by a beautiful girl in the hallway and went home and told his mother, “I’m going to marry that girl someday.” Dick’s wish came true on August 30, 1958, when he married Jan Principe, on an extremely hot summer day, at St. Thomas Catholic Church. They were married by their teacher and friend, Father Olley. After college, Dick joined the family business, Ken-Crete Products, where he worked alongside his father, brother, and sons. He ended his career as President of the company. Over the years, he worked diligently to establish many relationships with contractors throughout Southeastern Wisconsin and provide excellent service to his customers. He enjoyed the people he worked with and considered them not only employees, but friends.
Dick and Jan were married for 65 years. Together they lovingly raised five children whom they were exceedingly proud of. No one meant more to Dick than his family. His greatest accomplishments were his children: Christopher (Cheryl) Johnson, the late Bruce (Vanessa) Johnson, Kimberly Johnson (Becky Meyer), Julie (Raka) Radovic, and Heather (Bob) Marko. He was blessed with 13 grandchildren: Heather Nichols, Hana (Nathaniel) Aguilar, Mitchell (Amanda) Johnson, Ashleigh (Ryan) Meinen, Brittany (Trevor) Herin, Haley Johnson, Kolin (Hailey) Meyer, Zack Meyer, Adam (Vanessa) Radovic, the late Christian Radovic, Stefan (Kelly) Radovic, Alex (Abby) Marko, Madison (Jonathan) Langan, and 15 precious great-grandchildren.
If you had the opportunity to talk with Dick, you surely heard the stories of his high school basketball career, including how he broke St. Mary’s High School scoring record his senior year by scoring 37 points in a game. He was so proud of the fact that his father, Arnie, never missed a single game during high school and beyond. In addition to playing basketball, Dick was also very devoted to his Catholic Faith. Attending 4:00 Mass on Saturdays at St. Mary’s was the highlight of his weekend, which often included a stop for his favorite dessert, an ice cream cone, on his way home. He was an avid movie enthusiast, never missing a good action flick. Tinseltown will certainly miss his patronage. Dick’s sense of humor and knack for storytelling (often exaggerated) will never be forgotten by his family and friends. He will always be loved and remembered.
His life will be celebrated on Tuesday, June 11, 2024. Visitation will be held at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Kenosha from 3:30-5:00, with a Mass of Christian Burial to follow at the church. Private entombment services will be held for the family.
In lieu of flowers or other gifts, please consider donating to the following organizations: The Association for Frontotemporal Degeneration as we continue to fight for a cure for FTD or The Ronald Mc Donald House in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, who provided our family a place to stay when Dick’s grandson underwent a successful open-heart surgery.
