Harold Johnson

Harold L. Johnson, 90, of Clinton, died Saturday, February 6, 2010 at his home. Funeral Services will be 10:30am, Friday, February 12, 2010 at the First Presbyterian Church, Clinton. Burial will be in the Clinton Lawn Cemetery. Serving as a pallbearers will be Bob Conzett, Chris Eichmeier, Earl Stuedeman, John Harden, Jeff Weaver, Howard Neese, Gene Steensen, and Ron Watt. Visitation will be Thursday from 4:00-7:30pm at the Clinton Chapel Snell-Zornig Funeral Homes and Crematory with a Rose Croix at 7:30pm. Harold was born October 6, 1919 at Prophetstown, Illinois, the son of Carl A. and Eleanor R. (Covell) Johnson. He married Marjorie A. Nelson of Morrison, Illinois, May 3, 1941, at Bethesda Lutheran Church, Morrison, Illinois. She died January 19, 2004. His was a full and challenging life. Immediately following his graduation from Erie High School, Erie, Illinois, in 1937, he entered professional photography during the great depression as an unpaid apprentice at a studio in Davenport, Iowa. Soon thereafter, he established a studio for a short period in Dixon, Illinois, then moved the business first to Prophetstown, Illinois, then to Morrison, Illinois, and finally established Johnson Photographers in Clinton, Iowa, in 1943. During his 33 year career as a professional photographer, he became a nationally-known convention speaker, sharing his photographic knowledge at over 75 state, regional and national conventions throughout the United States and Canada. He also presented seminars under the sponsorship of a national photographic manufacturer. The success of his seminars resulted in the Professional Photographers of America obtaining his services to conduct one-day clinics coast-to-coast for several years. That national association awarded him the "Master of Photography and also the Photographic Craftsman " degrees in addition to the National Award for his service to the photographic profession. He was a member of the faculty at the New England Institute of Photography several times at the University of New Hampshire. He was the Iowa National Council Member for portrait photography for many years. In 1962 he was elected state president of the Professional Photographers of Iowa. In the early 60's he staged "Colorama," which was reported to be the largest direct color photographic exhibit by a single studio, in the United States. It was held in the ballroom of the Lafayette Hotel, Clinton, where it received national publicity. He sold his Clinton studio in 1970 and established a company which marketed personal development programs created by the Nightingale-Conant Corporation of Chicago. His first office was in Bettendorf, Iowa and later in Davenport. At the 1971 Nightingale-Conant human resource congress held in Chicago, Harold was named their Outstanding Distributor of the Year for the western region of the United States which included all states from the Mississippi River to the west coast. He entered the field of real estate in 1975 and owned and operated Harold L. Johnson Realty for over 25 years in Clinton. He was a past president of the Clinton Board of Realtors.He also became a licensed life underwriter in 1976 with the Life Investors Insurance Company of America. He was self-employed in four different careers during his lifetime They were professional photography, motivational program distributor, life insurance underwrater and real estate broker. He retired in 2003 after spending more than sixty-five years in the business world. He was a 64 year member and a past master of Western Star #100 Masonic Lodge. A 60 year member of the Kaaba Shrine Temple, a member and past president of the Clinton Shrine Club; a member of the Clinton York Rite Masonic Bodies; a charter member and past president of the Clinton High Twelve Club where he was honored with the Century Club Award from the Walcott Foundation. He served as president of the Masonic Booster Breakfast Club for five years. As a 60 year Scottish Rite Mason, he received the highest honor the Supreme Council of that that fraternity can bestow-the 33° Inspector General Honorary in 1991. In 1996 he was appointed to serve as the Personal Representative for the Clinton Scottish Rite Masons a position he held for eight years from which he recently retired. He was a charter member and past president of the Clinton Lions Club. A former member of the Clinton Rotary Club, the Jaycees, the Optimists Club and a member of the Clinton Izaak Walton League. He served as a board member of the Salvation Army. His interests included gardening, woodworking, painting, writing, public speaking, hunting and fishing. He prepared an extensive travelogue on his trip to Sweden, Norway and Denmark which he presented to various organizations. He was a member of the First United Presbyterian Church of Clinton for over fifty years. He was an ordained elder and taught Sunday school for several years. He wrote articles for issues of the Booster News for over 20 years. He was the longest-serving editor, a post he held for over 10 years and was a long-time member of their Editorial Board. He is survived by one nephew, Richard Johnson. He was preceded in death by his parents and one sister. Memorials can be made to the First Presbyterian Church or Clinton Scottish Rite Heritage Fund.

Harold Johnson

October 6, 1919 - February 6, 2010