Norm Johnson

passed away Tuesday, April 12, 2005, at his home. Norm was born June 24, 1939 in Hastings, the son of Lewis and Doris (Adrianson) Johnson and has lived in the Bangor area for 40 years. He graduated from Western Michigan University in 1961 and was employed by the Bangor Public Schools for 41 years as a teacher, coach, and athletic director. Norm retired after 32 years as a high school teacher, 26 years as varsity basketball coach and 32 years as athletic director. He was a member of the Michigan High School Basketball Coaches Association and was inducted into its Hall of Fame; Executive Secretary of SAC; Executive Director of the Red Arrow Conference for 3 years; an active member of the MIAAA both Regionally and State-wide; established the Bangor High School Hall of Fame; served as the Community Recreation Director for 8 years and has served 17 years on the MHSSA Representative Council. In April 2002, he was elected to the Bangor City Council for a term to end in April 2005; in October 2003 he ascended to Mayor upon the resignation of George Sink. In April 2004, he was elected as Mayor and was currently serving that position as well as a member of the Bangor Economic Development Corp. and Community Recreation Committee. With Norm's love for sports he was awarded many honors; in 1991, he was the Regional Athletic Director of the year; in 1992, he won the MHSAA Al Bush award for service to the MHSAA; in 1993, he was inducted into the Michigan High School Coaches Hall of Fame; in 1994, he was National Regional Athletic Director of the Year and State-wide Athletic Director of the Year; in 2000, he was inducted into the Bangor High School Athletic Hall of Fame and won the MHSAA's highest honor, being selected for the Charles Forsythe Award. Surviving are his wife, Joan, whom he married August 19, 1961, in Delton; 2 children, Rocky (Amy) Johnson of Bangor, Cindy (Scott) Wixson of Olivet; 5 grandchildren, Trey, Megan, Andrew, Brock, and Molly; his mother, Doris Johnson of Plainwell; 1 sister, Loraine (Bob) Pike of Plainwell, 2 nieces and 1 nephew. He was preceded in death by his father and an infant son. The family will meet friends on Monday from 2-4 & 6-8 PM at the Bangor Chapel, D. L. Miller Funeral Home. Funeral services will be at 11:00 AM, Tuesday at Simpson United Methodist Church, Bangor with Rev. Sandra B. McNary officiating. Following the services cremation will take place. The family suggests memorials to Simpson UMC Building Fund or the Norm Johnson Memorial Scholarship Fund.

Norm Johnson

June 24, 1939 - April 12, 2005