Richard Eric Johnson

Richard Eric Johnson (Rich), born February 1, 1940, passed on October 16, 2021.  He spent his last days surrounded by family and wonderful care givers.  Richard was born and raised in Waukegan Illinois where he met the love of his life, his bride, Linda Lee Laird.  They were married in 1962 and had two children in Waukegan, Illinois where both their parents lived.  Richard graduated from Lake Forest College 1961 with a degree in Chemistry.  He then began his career with North Shore Gas Company.  After retiring in ­­­1986 he began to enjoy his favorite leisure time activities including golf, hunting, and car restoration.  Rich often recounted many fond memories of friends and family that traveled to attend his recent 80th surprise birthday party.  Staying close with lifelong friends was very important to him.  A lifetime of hunting, snowmobiling, fishing, camping, attending Harley Rallies in Sturgis, and working with people he always felt the need to stay connected.  Some of the favorite family memories include camping trips, even leaving work early to take the kids to Trout Valley Wisconsin and summer motorcycle excursions to Gunnison, Colorado. The girls remember loading up cases of Coors which was not sold in Illinois.  He enjoyed long summer days fishing for catfish on the Illinois Des Plains River. Other family traditions included smelt fishing off the pier in Waukegan, campfires in the backyard and annual snowmobile trips to Wisconsin.  Rich was always happy to see you, and put his best foot forward every day.  Rarely did you see him without a smile on his face.  Many will remember him for his contagious laugh.  He was a lover of cars, dogs, and people.

Rich was predeceased in death by his sister, Delores Johnson Lewis, his parents Eric and Sally (Lacksonen) Johnson, In laws Charles and Joyce Laird, Brother-in-law Richard (Henry) Fonda.

 Richard was survived by his loving bride, Linda of 59 years; his sister-in-law, Meighan Ross Fonda, his daughters, Lisa (Kendall) Fuller, Cheryl (Louie) Laffredi; his grandchildren, Erica Chetek (Sam)  Boles, Raven Nicole Fuller (Josh Jones), Brandon Lee Laffredi, Kristopher Charles Laffredi; his great grandchildren, Jade Allison Laffredi and Jett Leviathan Fuller and many nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Retirement Home for Horses in Alachua, Florida. (rhh@millcreeekfarm.org.)

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