Dennis "Denny" Johnson

Dennis “Denny” Henry Johnson passed away at his home in Buckley in the early hours of January 4th, 2018. Dennis was born on July 10th, 1937 to Henry and Margaret (Gallagher) Johnson in Tacoma, Washington where he also grew up. As a kid he loved to spend the summers on his Gallagher grandparent’s farm in Eatonville, there he learned his hard work ethics. He attended and played football at Western Washington University and earned a degree in education. Dennis began his teaching and coaching career at Kent-Meridian High School in 1961, where he worked for 30 years. He taught history and coached football and wrestling through the 60’s and 70’s, retiring in 1991 as the activities coordinator at the age of 53. He and his wife Reita then moved to Anderson Island where they lived until moving to Buckley in 2007. In his 27 years of retirement Dennis spent his time fishing, hunting, camping, hiking, working on wooden boats and traveling the United States with his wife in their Dodge pick-up and camp trailer. Two months after celebrating their 50th anniversary Dennis lost his wife Reita in 2008. He remarried in in 2012 to Rosemary Eyemann who he lost this past June.

Dennis was preceded in death by his parents; his wife of 50 years Reita Johnson; his wife of 5 years Rosemary Eyemann; his sister Nancy Thompson; and daughter Kathryn McConnell. He is survived by his son Chris Johnson (Anna) of Enumclaw; daughter Cynthia Roberts (Steve) of Seattle; brother Tom Johnson (Sally) of Tacoma; 8 grandchildren; and 3 great grandsons.

Funeral services will be held at St. Aloysius Catholic Church in Buckley on Saturday, January 13th at 11:00a.m. with a reception following.

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