Obituary of Gordon Lee Johnson

Gordon L. Johnson, age 87, of Durham, NC, formerly of Hillsborough, NC, peacefully passed away at home on Friday, October 14, 2022.

He was born on September 11, 1935, in Madison, WI, and spent his childhood in Oregon, WI. He was the son of the late Roy W. and Mary Mahoney Johnson.

Gordon graduated in the Class of 1953 from Oregon High School. He earned a B.S. in Mining Engineering from the University of Wisconsin-Platteville in 1957.

He began his career with U.S. Steel, Quebec Cartier Mining Company as an Industrial Engineer and then Director of Industrial Engineering in Port Cartier, Quebec, Canada for 10 years. Gordon and his family returned to the United States in 1968, living in North Olmsted, OH, and later Chagrin Falls, OH. He worked for SCM in its Durkee Foods division in Cleveland, OH, and then transferred to SCM Metal Products division where he would spend the rest of his career. In 1991, Gordon and Pat moved to Hillsborough, NC. In 1994, Gordon retired from SCM Metal Products as Vice President of Marketing.

Gordon was also President of Johnta Corporation, leading the development of Grand Oak Estates, a 72-homesite subdivision in Orange County, NC.

Gordon loved the outdoors and avidly pursued boating, fishing, water skiing, downhill skiing, running, golfing, and even scuba diving. He also became an accomplished oil painter during retirement. He was a frequent volunteer with the Knights of Columbus and enjoyed singing with The Village Review, performing at many senior living communities in Durham and Orange counties. Gordon and Pat enjoyed a lifetime of worldwide travel with each other, their family, and friends. He loved spending time with his grandchildren and attended countless soccer games, golf tournaments, and swim meets. He shared his many skills with them, most especially spending hours fishing with his grandchildren every summer in Chetek, WI.

Gordon was preceded in death by his parents, infant son Christopher Johnson, brother Gerald Johnson, and sister-in-law Evelyn Johnson.

Left to cherish his memory are his loving wife of 63 years, Patricia (Sandorf) Johnson; children: Judy (Steve) Tadge of Hillsborough, NC and Amy (Dan) Taussig of Chagrin Falls, OH; 4 grandchildren: Kevin (Laura) Tadge, Megan (Adam) Blake, Trevor Taussig, and Kelsey Taussig; and 1 great-grandchild: Michael Blake.

We’d like to thank A-Plus Quality Home Care for their care and thoughtfulness over the past 2 years. Especially Kenny, Warren, and Antonio, along with Betty, Mary, Bryant, Phyllis, Kay, Sonja, and Tiffany.

Friends and Family will be received at the Walker’s Funeral Home, 204 N. Churton St., Hillsborough, NC, on Monday, October 17, 2022 from 1:30 pm – 3:30 pm. Followed by a graveside service at 4:15 pm at St. Matthew Catholic Church, 1001 Mason Rd., Durham, NC.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Gordon’s name to the Chetek Lakes Protection Association https://cheteklakes.securepayments.cardpointe.com/pay

Walker's Funeral Home of Hillsborough is assisting the Johnson family.