A resident of Novato, Richard Arnold Johnson died of kidney failure on July 22nd.
Born in San Francisco on December 26th, 1939, Richard moved to Marin County when he was 6, and was thereafter a true son of Marin where lived until his passing last week. He was among the last classes of Larkspur-Corte Madera School graduates to receive their diplomas in the open air dance floor of Larkspur's Rose Bowl. Richard was a graduate of Drake High School's class of 1957 where he was a member of the golf team and went on to become the sports editor of the College of Marin newspaper, the Mariner.
During a 30-year career in the title business, Richard became Chief Title Officer of Western Title Insurance Company, San Rafael, where he met his wife Debbie. They were married in 1978 at Carmel and were inseparable for the next 43 years.
Richard was fascinated by history, especially the histories of San Francisco and Marin County, and was a lifelong fan of Stanford football, the 49ers and the Giants. He was a lifelong golfer and enjoyed get-away weekends in Napa, Carmel and Lake Tahoe.
An affable, witty man enormously popular with lifelong friends back to his childhood in Corte Madera, Richard is survived by his wife, Deb, two children, Scott Johnson and Kelly Johnson, grandson, Jay (JJ) Fallon (Erikka), and greatgranddaughter, Ava. He was preceded in death by his parents, Mary and Leonard Johnson and his brother, Alvin (Al) Johnson. No services will be held, but family and close friends plan to gather to remember their years with their loyal friend. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Diabetes Association.
Last night I dreamed I was put in jail for falling in love. The jailers, dressed in black with heads bowed, kept muttering, “Too young, too young.” I knew it was true and I was guilty to my core.
I met Rich when I was still in high school. I was 17 and he was 22. He helped raise me – We got married and continued to grow up together. He is, and will always be a part of me.
Rich was the sweetest and kindest man. His mother was “my true mother” and he got his wonderful disposition and temperament from her. He was calm, never raised his voice and we never fought. Our two children loved him dearly. Over the 13 years we were together, every now and then, we would fall in love all over again. While he was calm, steady, and mature, I was restless, wildly curious, and a risk-taker. Where he pulled back, I leaned in. When we parted, he met Debbie. He fell in love, found peace, and was home in their union. I was deeply happy for both of them then, and I extend my heart, as sorrowful as it is, to Debbie now.
Where there is death, there is a new beginning. A new cycle. At the close of a karmic chapter, a new character is introduced, a new storyline begins. In the stretch and pull of life’s lessons, there is renewal…..for a while. I can feel my world flipping, turning, uprooted, and plowed like a field. It is pain full of promise. Life presents the next breath as a gift from the gods, and for this time, I bow. ?
Written by the first wife, Dr. Sharon Rose
CC: Kelly, Scott, Debbie Johnson