Howard R. Johnson, age 82, passed away on July 30, 2026. He was born on August 24, 1943, to Raymond and Margie (Vaughn) Johnson. Howard attended Layton School of Art in Milwaukee following High School. Howard was driven by wanderlust following art school and spent time in the Fox Valley area as well as Denver CO and Sausalito, and San Franciso, CA among other places.

Howard was truly an artist of the 60’s with pleather bell bottom pants and suede fringe jacket. He returned to the Fox Valley after his adventuring to work various jobs. In 1999, he met Maggie Prast on a blind date. They married in “Pete’s backyard” in 2000 in a beautiful Hawaiian themed wedding. For many of their friends, it was “the best wedding ever.” Mumu, Hawaiian attire, and Hawaiian leis abounded! It was a true celebration.

Howard was a true foodie; he loved to cook and loved to experience new venues for a meal. He was never short of an opinion where friends should go for THEIR birthdays. Howard enjoyed Chardonnay was Howard’s beverage of choice and enjoyed a wide range of foods from lasagna and steak all the way to the simple things like cheese and crackers (and even jellybeans!). Howard was truly a fan of anything that fed his sweet tooth, from daily donuts to sugar cookie cutouts and anything in between.

Howard was a fan of a Hawaiian shirt and had a collection that could put any tourist to shame! He was also a fan of jazz music.

Howard is survived by his wife Maggie, his sister Judith Johnson, a nieces Jennifer Meidl and Lexi Johnson, his cat Kiki and many other family members, good friends and driveway drinkers. He was preceded in death by his parents, his brother Ron Johnson, and his cat Winston.

Howard did not want a funeral, and so, his friends and family will gather for a technicolor celebration of life in the near future.