Lawrence W. “Huggy Bear” Johnson, age 84, of Galesburg, Illinois, died at 5:55 a.m. on Thursday, January 16, 2025, at OSF St. Mary Medical Center in Galesburg, Illinois.
He was born on August 6, 1940, in Galesburg, Illinois, the son of Frederick and Beatrice (McColloch) Johnson.
He attended and graduated from Galesburg High School the class of 1958. He served in the United States Army in the Military Police. He was stationed in Germany during the Vietnam era. He married Phyllis Williams on December 20, 1964 in Galesburg, Illinois.
Surviving is his wife, Phyllis Johnson of Galesburg, Illinois; one daughter, Sally (Gerald) Wilson of Alexis, Illinois and one son: John (Carol) Johnson of Staunton, Virginia; eight grandchildren and fifteen great-grandchildren; two sisters: Mary (Wendell) Yeast of Galesburg, Illinois and Ileen McDorman of Galesburg, Illinois; many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, one grandson, Matthew Wayne Wilson, one sister, Carol Ann Johnson, and two brothers, Ed and Roger Johnson.
We worked in the maintenance department of the former Cottage Hospital, retiring in 2002. He was a member of the Civil Air Patrol, with the rank of Major; member and past president of the Green Busters at Bunker Links; member of the Hope Wesleyan Church; member of the Die-Hard CUBS Fan Club; and the Tuesday night Twilight Bowling League.
He was an avid ball fan, any type of a sport with a ball, fishing, watching old classic movies, especially westerns. He was a model railroader, expert tinkerer and a collector of many things.
Larry loved supporting his kids, making time for his family and attending their events.
Visitation will be at 1 p.m. Tuesday, January 21, 2025, with a celebration of life at 2 p.m. at the Hurd-Hendricks Funeral Homes & Crematory in Knoxville, Illinois. Memorials may be made to the family. On-line condolences and/or expressions of sympathy may be sent through www.hurd-hendricksfuneralhome.com.
