Lee Johnson Jr., community leader, dies at 62

Through two world wars, 12 U.S. presidents and countless car models, many area residents turned to a Lee Johnson for their Chevrolets. And since 1972, Lee Johnson Jr. stood alone as the icon for "Lee Johnson Chevrolet Mazda."

On Saturday morning (Nov. 23), Mr. Johnson died of a heart attack after two weeks in a coma at Evergreen Hospice. He was 62.

The Johnson-run car dealership began as a tiny business, born at the height of the Depression. Over the years, Mr. Johnson grew the family business into three of the region's well-known auto dealerships, with locations in Kirkland, Bellingham and Monroe.

Friends and business colleagues said Mr. Johnson built his reputation and business largely on his hard work, integrity and continual smile.

"He was not what you would think of as a pushy salesman. He was just the opposite," said Bob Norman, a college roommate and longtime friend.

"People wanted to buy their cars there because they wanted to be treated fairly. They would just tell him what they wanted, and he'd take care of it."

Besides treating his customers well, Mr. Johnson had a reputation of retaining employees for decades, an impressive feat during recent times of high job turnover.

"I never met a man who didn't like Lee Johnson," Norman said.

After graduating from college, Mr. Johnson and Norman toured the United States for three months in a convertible Corvette. "I was sitting across from the guy for three months and never had a cross word," said Norman.

Mr. Johnson was always active in the Kirkland community, serving as a president of the Rotary Club, member of the Chamber of Commerce and sponsor of numerous youth sports teams. Last year, Mr. Johnson and his family donated a bronze sculpture of a young boy in a baseball uniform to Peter Kirk Park in Kirkland.

"If there was somebody who needed help, Leroy was always there to do it. He'd never turn anybody down," said Dick Shinstrom, a longtime friend, neighbor and business associate.

If someone suggested heading up a parade, Shinstrom said, Mr. Johnson would say, "Oh, I've got the equipment for that." Sure enough, he would loan one of his classic Corvette convertibles.

A fine athlete in his own right, Mr. Johnson is still described by some as a "legend" in the Kirkland community. He played baseball and basketball for Lake Washington High School; and he quarterbacked the football team for three seasons in the 1950s, never losing a game and helping start a dynasty that won 56 consecutive contests.

Mr. Johnson went on to play football at the University of Idaho on an athletic scholarship and later transferred to the University of Washington.

Friends say Mr. Johnson was above all else a devoted family man. His immediate family could not be reached before publication.

Mr. Johnson is survived by his wife, Ginny of Monroe; daughter Jenell Markey of Monroe; sons Tod Johnson of Kirkland and Brett Johnson of Woodinville; sisters Merrily Stewart of Aberdeen and Diane Hardwick of Camano Island; and two grandchildren.

Jason Margolis: 206-464-2145 or jmargolis@seattletimes.com.