Jan. 3, 1957 – June 23, 2012
The world lost a stellar citizen with the passing of Curt Johnson, who died recently from Lou Gehrig's disease.
Curt's journey was the epitome of a life well lived. He was an avid fisherman, a relentless snow-skier and a pretty okay golfer. He knew good wine from bad, he had many, many friends, and he loved nothing more than sharing conversation and laughter.
A humble farm boy from Cheney, Curt spent many years in Japan teaching English. He was fluent in Japanese, and adored their women and culture. He earned an MBA from the Monterey Institute of International Studies and was on the Board for the Spokane-Nishinomiya Sister City Society for 11 years.
Curt had friends all over the planet, bringing laughter and joy to everyone. Strangers could have been a part of his life too — except he never met one. Curt could, and did, talk with anybody, about anything, for any amount of time.
While grateful for Washington's assisted suicide law, his dying wish was to donate his perfectly healthy organs to save others. But current regulations made that impossible, much to his frustration. Even as his other motor functions slipped away, his infectious smile was there to the last, and will be remembered and cherished forever.
Curt lost both his parents at a young age and was raised by the amazing Doris Splichal – his grandmother, who died just this year at 101. Curt is survived by his brother Dana Johnson, wife Aoi Hiramatsu, his beautiful daughters and their spouses, Kaede Johnson (John Russell), Ariel Johnson (Zach Pereyo), grandchildren Addie and Louie, and legions of beloved friends and extended family.
Memorial contributions in his honor may be made to the ALS Service Organization, P.O. Box 48177, Spokane, WA 99228-1177.
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