Lloyd M Johnson

Lloyd M. Johnson, age 83, of Scottsdale, AZ and more recently of Grand Forks, ND passed away Saturday, February 25, 2012 in Altru Hospital of Grand Forks. Lloyd, son of Lester and Mary Johnson, was born April 23, 1928 at Buxton, ND. He attended and graduated from the Buxton Public Schools. He went on to attend Mayville State Teachers College and began his teaching career in Buxton rural schools. After receiving his bachelor's degree from Mayville State Teacher's College, he taught in Mekinock, ND and later, in Grand Forks Public Schools. During the Korean Conflict, Lloyd enlisted in the U. S. Army where he served as a personnel clerk. He was stationed in Tokyo, Japan for most of his military service. After his return from the military, Lloyd resumed his teaching career in Great Falls, MT where he taught for two years. During this time he also attended the University of North Dakota, earning graduate credits. After his teaching stint in Montana, Lloyd began what was to become the major part of his teaching career as an educator working for the Department of Defense. This began a 33 year career which brought Lloyd to many exciting and exotic places throughout the world. He served as an educator in Sidi Sliniane, Morocco (1958 - 59), Wiesbaden, Germany (1959 - 60), Copenhagen, Denmark (1960 -61) Olso, Norway (1961 - 62), Aviano, Italy (1962 - 63) Izmir, Turkey (1963 - 65), Napels, Italy (1965 -70), Frankfort, Germany (1970 - 87) Taegu, Korea (1987 -89) and Subic Bay, Philippines (1989 - 91). Lloyd's career with the overseas teaching program culminated in 1991 at Subic Bay base in the Philippines. That same year, the Philippines suffered the volcanic eruption of Mt. Pinatubo which resulted in the closure of the military base. Lloyd resigned his government position and returned stateside settling in Scottsdale, AZ. It was at this time Lloyd began what would become another exciting and enjoyable career. He accepted a position with Special Services connected with athletic and entertainment events at venues in downtown Phoenix. Such events included ushering for the Phoenix Suns, The Arizona Diamond Backs, The Phoenix Coyotes, The Road Runners arena football, The Mercury Women's basketball, major league wrestling and numerous entertainment happenings - such as national ice shows, circuses, conferences, major international and national touring artists and attractions. During the past 16 years, Lloyd provided ushering services at over 5000 Phoenix events. Lloyd, the consummate world traveler, enjoyed sharing photos and collected memorabilia of his extensive travel venture. Lloyd returned to his home state of North Dakota on February 2, 2012 where he settled into the community of Wheatland Terraces at 4004 N. 24th St in Grand Forks. Lloyd is survied by sisters, Violet (Arthur) Grove, Grand Forks and Jacquelyn (Joseph) Hegstad, Scottsdale, AZ; sister-in-law, Claire Johnson, Buxton, ND; nephews, Greg (Edith) Johnson, Gilby, ND, Mike (Debbie) Johnson, Grand Forks, Bruce (Karen) Johnson, Grand Forks, Robert Johnson, Phoenix, AZ; nieces, Penny Johnson, Minneapolis, MN, Shari (Mike) Elgin, Grand Forks, Susan Johnson, Grand Forks and several grand nieces and nephews. Lloyd was preceded in death by his parents and by brothers, Donald, Douglas and Allen. Funeral Services will be 2:00 PM Friday, March 2, 2012 in the chapel of 4000 Valley Square, Grand Forks. Visitation will be for the hour before the service (1:00 PM) in 4000 Valley Square . Burial will be in Immanuel Lutheran Cemetery of Buxton, ND. Memorials are preferred to the Immanuel Lutheran Cemetery Fund of Buxton, ND.