A Galesburg baseball standout who was once signed by the San Francisco Giants has died.
Howard “Hod” Johnson of Galesburg, died peacefully at home Tuesday, July 7, 2026. He was 89.
Johnson was a standout baseball player at Galesburg High School and was signed by the San Francisco Giants, playing with the organization for a short time. A 1955 GHS grad, he was inducted into the Galesburg Athletic Hall of Fame in 2001. According to his obituary, those who knew him described Hod as a man who knew almost everyone, and everyone knew him.
He retired from Illinois Power in 1999 after 40 years of service, and said he always felt lucky to have worked there. Johnson also gave back to the community through volunteer work with Habitat for Humanity and the Galesburg Food Pantry, and was a lifetime member of Elks Lodge #894.
Outside of baseball, Johnson had a passion for golf at Bunker Links, where he carded several holes-in-one over the years. He also enjoyed woodworking, building furniture, and could often be found riding his John Deere tractor around his home in his later years.
Johnson married Carol Olsen in Monmouth, and later married Cheryl Cramer on Oct. 4, 2009, in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Survivors include his wife, Cheryl; sons Duane Johnson of Loxahatchee, Florida, and Ronald (Rayleen) Johnson of St. Louis, Missouri; and daughter Vicki (Rick) Lisa of Austin, Texas, along with grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and extended family.
Memorial visitation will be 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. Saturday, July 18, 2026, at Watson Thomas Funeral Home and Crematory, Galesburg, with a memorial service to follow at 11 a.m.
Read the full obituary: Howard “Hod” Johnson obituary
