Dr. Neal Constantine Johnson

Dr. Neal Johnson of Lethbridge, beloved husband of Mrs. Francine Desjardins, passed away peacefully at Chinook Regional Hospital on October 26, 2023, at the age of 87 years surrounded by loved ones.

Neal’s life started in Eastend, Saskatchewan. His parents Frederick Johnson from North Dakota with Swedish ancestry, and Mary Ellen née Hazelton from Ontario with Irish Roots, met and Neal’s life began. His paternal grandparents Andrew and Hannah Jonsson journeyed from Malmö, Sweden. They settled in Robsart, Saskatchewan, where they managed their own lumber mill. Neal comes from a long line of physically strong and stoic, resilient heritage.

Neal’s Bachelor of Education and Masters in Education degrees were achieved at the University of Calgary. Neal’s Doctorate was defended and finalized in 1983 at the University of Oregon. He was Associate Professor in Art Education at the University of Lethbridge. Prior to that, he was Fine Arts Coordinator for Lethbridge School District 51.

 Neal was an incredibly talented artist in ceramics, watercolor painting, printmaking, pottery, metal enameling and jewelry casting. He loved and was devoted to his family, his art, dancing to the tunes of Big Band, reading and studying Shakespeare. Neal was well respected and loved by all who knew him. He was a fine gentleman. Loving Neal and being loved by him for a lifetime would still not have been long enough. 

Neal is survived by his loving and devoted wife Francine; his son Mark Johnson; his stepsons Mark Huff (Carla), Phillip Huff (Sherry); his brother Lowell Johnson (Jeannie); brother-in-law Bob Howell (Elaine-deceased); our grandchildren Xander, Merrick, Samuel, Phoebe and Elwood will miss their grandpa Neal dearly.

A Celebration of Neal’s Life will be held at 2:00 pm, on Friday, November 17, 2023, at MARTIN BROTHERS RIVERVIEW CHAPEL, 610, 4 STREET SOUTH, Lethbridge, Alberta, with Dr. Bruce Martin officiating. To watch the service via livestream, please go to https://www.mbfunerals.com/obituary/DrNeal-Johnson and scroll to the bottom of the obituary page.

In lieu of flowers, a donation can be made to the Art’s Alive and Well in the Schools Program, which Neal founded and is hosted by the SAAG, located at 601 3 Ave S, Lethbridge, AB T1J 0H4 yearly in Lethbridge, Alberta.

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