Swede Johnson
Photo contributed by family
SNOHOMISH — R.C. “Swede” Johnson, a lion of a civic leader, died March 11, his family announced last week. He was 81.
Unflappable and dedicated, he served 10 years in the 1980s and ‘90s on the Snohomish School Board before being elected to the County Council for a term. He was later part of the Snohomish City Council’s conservative wing from 2006 to 2010.
He was a star multi-athlete for the Snohomish Panthers, particularly baseball. In early adulthood, he was instrumental in efforts to build Snohomish’s Kla Ha Ya Park. He also spent 25 years as a basketball game officiator, and was Kla Ha Ya Days Chair for 1978.
Professionally he was a PUD engineer and later car salesman.
Swede Johnson’s memorial will be held at CrossView Church (604 Ave. C, Snohomish) May 31 at 11 a.m.
