Harold Johnson

Harold J. Johnson (Hal), a longtime resident of Kingman, AZ, passed away on May 8, 2021 at the age of 87 in Peoria, AZ. The youngest of two sons born to Harold and Eva Johnson in Osceola, NE on May 26, 1934, Hal’s family moved west and lived in various cities in California and throughout coastal towns in Washington. Hal later returned to Osceola where he graduates from Osceola High School. As a young man, Hal developed a great work ethic and was highly driven. He worked numerous jobs growing up, including holding a position at his father’s famous Hollywood, CA restaurant, Kelbo’s Hawaiian BBQ, before enlisting in the Naval (Air) Reserves in 1952 in Lincoln, NE at age 18. It was in 1955 that he was called to active duty, and it was upon his honorable discharge in 1964 that Hal immediately reenlisted and served another eight years before he fully retired as a Chief Petty Officer in December of 1972. The service took him all over the United States, Newfoundland, Azores, Spain, Hawaii, Guam, Vietnam, and Japan. It was in 1953 while living in Lincoln, Nebraska that Hal met and fell in love with Arlene Pint, a native of Pierce, NE. They married in her hometown on February 12, 1955, which Hal affectionately referred to as one of the best days of his life in spite of the record low temperature of 15 degrees below zero that morning. Hal and Arlene raised five children and lived from coast to coast so Hal could serve our country before they settled in Kingman, AZ in 1967. It was in Kingman where Hal, Arlene, and their children helped build the Kampgrounds Of America (KOA Campgrounds, AZ) with Hal’s father, stepmother, and his uncle. He was instrumental in the growth of Kingman and devoted himself to community work as a member of numerous clubs and advisory boards. In 2011, Hal and Arlene moved to Peoria, AZ to be closer to family after their children had graduated from Kingman High School and went on to pursue their own careers throughout the United States. Hal was the epitome of the definition of “having an entrepreneurial spirit,” which was evident as being recognized throughout his lifetime with numerous business awards, including the prestigious Andy Awards for Business Person of the Year and again as Lifetime Achiever of the Year. Hal started his successful real estate business where, in just a few short years, he purchased Storms Real Estate and later added multiple Century 21 franchises in Arizona: Bullhead City, Lake Havasu City, and Valley Vista. He eventually sold the Century 21 business in 2001 and then fully retired May 2008. Hal and Arlene loved to travel with countless trips with the kids to San Diego/Huntington Beach, boat camping at Lake Mohave/Havasu/Mead/Powell, motorhome road trips to visit relatives in Nebraska, and of course just up the hill to the family-built Hualapai Mountain cabin. Hal and Arlene visited most all of the US, Mexico, Canada, Bermuda, Caribbean Islands, Panama Canal, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Kenya, Seychelles Islands, Yemen, Egypt, Australia, and Fiji. Some of their favorite trips were week-long romantic stays in both Cabo and Coronado Island. Hal is survived by Arlene, his loving and caring wife of 66 years, and their children: Shari (Barry) Thomas, Gilbert, AZ; Mark (Susan) Johnson, Colorado Springs, CO; Sandra (Fred) Gustin, Henderson, NV; Glenn Johnson (Cheryl Zarobell), Phoenix, AZ; and Suzanne (Mike) Johnson-Hutchinson, Glendale, AZ and step-brother Dave (Penny) Grinde, Reno, NV. Other than golf, his most favorite thing in the world was spending time with family including his 10 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren Hal is predeceased by his father (Hal Sr), mother (Eva), stepmothers (Ann & Rosalie), stepfather (Jack), brother and his wife (Don & Jeanne), two half-sisters (Donna & Sharon), and grandson (Chad). Hal also leaves behind many dear relatives and friends. Services will be held on Monday June 14, 2021 at 10:30am at St Thomas More Catholic Church, 6180 W Utopia Rd, Glendale AZ. Immediately after church service there will be a Celebration of Life at Arrowhead Country Club at 19888 N 73rd Ave, Glendale AZ. The family respectfully requests that in lieu of flowers donations be made to any of the following non-profit organizations with memo field “Hal J Johnson Memorial” 1. Boys & Girls Club of Kingman http://theclubforyouth.org 928-718-0033 2. Mohave Museum https://www.mohavemuseum.org 928-753-3195 3. St Vincent de Paul Society https://www.svdpkingman.org SVDP Kingman, PO Box 3427, Kingman AZ 86402 4. Hualapai Mountain Fire Department http://pinelakefire.org 928-757-3570