Lawrence Harold Johnson

Lawrence Harold Johnson, age 85, of Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, died June 23, 2019, in Sault Ste. Marie. He was born December 6, 1933, in Raber Township, Michigan, to Everett E. and Catherine A. (Crawford) Johnson. Lawrence grew up in Stalwart, Michigan, where he attended the Stalwart School through 8th grade and then Pickford High School, graduating in 1951. Lawrence worked for a roofing contractor before he started farming. He continued farming for most of his life while working for most of those same years at the Drummond Island Dolomite Quarry and then at the Pickford Building Center for ten years before retiring. Part of his farming included a threshing machine that he used to help neighborhood farmers harvest their crops. He met Shelva Jean Warren on one of those neighboring farms. They were married on June 4, 1966, at St. Matthias Church in nearby Fairview, Michigan. Following in his parents’ footsteps, Lawrence worked tirelessly for the Stalwart Fair. His parents both served for countless years on the Stalwart Fair Board beginning in 1924. Lawrence was elected to the Board in about 1960. He was elected President of the Board in 1972, where he served as President all except three years until 2006, when he turned the reins over to his son, Marc. He continued on the board until recently, having served a total of 56 years. In addition to his service for the fair, Lawrence also served on the Chippewa County Farm Bureau Board of Directors for one term, as Secretary of the Hiawatha Livestock Sale in Rudyard, and on the Raber Township Board of Review for 25 years. He was also a 4-H Leader for 5 years, leading area children in woodworking and raising livestock. Lawrence was a member of the St. Matthias Church, where he was Lay Reader for at least 30 years, and more recently, he was a member of the Donaldson Presbyterian Church. Lawrence loved baseball, and as a young man he played on a baseball league that included traveling to games throughout Northern Michigan. During this time, he was scouted to play for professional teams. He continued to enjoy baseball as an avid Detroit Tiger fan who watched or listened to nearly every game. He also enjoyed deer hunting, gardening, caring for the horses on his farm, and training horses for other people. He and Shelva traveled extensively during retirement. They visited Alaska three times and enjoyed bus tours to many places throughout the lower 48 states and Canada. Lawrence is survived by his wife, Shelva; daughter, Laurel (Jeff Topolski) Johnson of Sterling Heights, Michigan; son, Marc (Stacy) Johnson of Pickford, Michigan; five grandchildren, Sydney, Tayte, Jessie, Logan, and Garrett; sister, Ethel (Tom) Yoder of Clarkston, Michigan; and sisters-in-law, Janet Johnson of Florida, and Brenda (Jarvis) Perkins of Greenville, Wisconsin. Lawrence was preceded in death by his parents; daughter-in-law, Tracy Johnson; and siblings, Dale Johnson, Bob Johnson, Everett Johnson, Jack Johnson, Jim Johnson, Don Johnson, Betty Crowley, and Lois Carlson. Services will be held Thursday, June 27, at R. Galer Funeral Home, 24549 S. M-129 in Pickford. Visitation will be held from 2:00 P.M. until 5:00 P.M. followed by the funeral service beginning at 5:00 P.M. Interment will be in Fairview Cemetery in Pickford Township at a later date. Memorial contributions may be made to the Stalwart Fair, 370 W. M-48, Pickford, MI 49774.

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Lawrence Harold Johnson

December 6, 1933 - June 23, 2019