Frank Johnson, Sr.

Frank T. Johnson Sr., passed away Nov. 14, 2005, at Columbine Care Center West in Fort Collins. His wife of 62 years, Caroline Flower Johnson, died March 20, 2001. He is survived by his four children, Frank Jr. wife Jody, Kent wife Bernadine, both of Fort Collins, Mark wife Margie of Centennial and Cathy Maguire husband Jim of Lakewood; 10 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his sister, Marguerite Johnson Baily husband George. Family gatherings and celebrations with this large family and his many friends were highlights in Frank's life. Mr. Johnson, known to everyone as Frank, was born to Tannis and Harriet Johnson in Holdrege, Neb., on July 7, 1914. He was a graduate of Grinnell College. Frank married Caroline Flower in 1939 in Grand Island, Neb. He served as a supply officer in the US Navy from 1943 to 1946. Upon moving to Fort Collins in 1948, Frank, his father and brother-in-law, Bob Johnson, purchased the State Dry Goods Company. They also established the Tannis Shop men's store in Fort Collins. In 1965, the State Dry Goods was destroyed by a tragic fire. The Johnsons continued to operate the State Dry Goods in several locations, including Loveland, until 1971. After the sale of the stores, Frank became a business development officer for the United Bank. Following his retirement from the bank, he worked for Larrabee's Furniture. Frank was a member of St. Luke's Episcopal Church, serving on the Vestry, the governing body of the church. He was Senior Warden and was on the Building Committee for the new church building in 1964. Frank's service to the Fort Collins community included, past president of the Fort Collins Chamber of Commerce, the Downtown Merchant's Association and The United Way; chairman of the Lincoln Community Center Guild; and board member of the Poudre R-1 School District, the Fort Collins Cultural Resources board and the Fort Collins Symphony Orchestra board. He also served as co-chairman of the 1959 "Rush to the Rockies" State Centennial Celebration of Larimer County and "Larimer Legacies" in 1976. In recognition of Frank's efforts on behalf of the community, he received The Citizen of the Year from the Fort Collins Board of Realtors in 1978, the Collins Award in 1979 presented by the Fort Collins Chamber of Commerce and the Fort Collins Community Builder Award in 1980 given by the Kiwanis Club. The capstone of Frank's service to the community was his leadership in the building of the Lincoln Center, in which he served as co-chairman with Lila Morgan. A memorial service will be at 1 p.m. Friday at St. Luke's Episcopal Church, 2000 Stover St. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to St. Luke's Episcopal Church or to the Community Foundation in care of Bohlender Funeral Chapel, 121 W. Olive St., Fort Collins, CO 80524. Gifts to the Community Foundation may be directed to the Lincoln Center Fund.