Patrick James Johnson

Patrick James Johnson, 64, formerly of Lake Isabella, passed from this world to be with his Savior, Jesus Christ, on June 25 at Culver Meadows Senior Living in Traverse City after a brief fight with cancer. Pat was born in Mt. Pleasant on August 21, 1958, at Central Michigan Community Hospital to Charles and Betty Johnson.  He was a 1976 graduate of Sacred Heart Academy, where he participated in football and track. The 1974 gridiron team he played on went 9-0 and he ran on an all-state 440-yard relay team at the 1976 track finals.  He would later graduate from Mid-Michigan Community College with an Associate Degree in Carpentry. He worked in carpentry - a specialist in drywall - before his passion for dogs led him to open Lakeside Kennels near Lake Isabella, which he operated for nearly 20 years.  His love and work with dogs continued after that with training dogs and dog club competitions, winning AKC awards.  Pat was an avid outdoorsman – he loved hunting and fishing.  Traveling to Paradise with his fishing friends was an annual highlight.  From the Manistee River and Eight Point Lake to the Dakotas and Alaska, the outdoors was special to him. He built an incredible number of relationships from his youth that last to this day.  A loyal friend to all with which they enjoyed everything from sharing a good joke to the outdoors and the Wheatland Bluegrass Festival. Pat was preceded in passing by his parents – Charles and Betty Johnson; and by the dogs he loved so much – Sam, Tara, Rosco and Redy.  He is survived by sisters Anne Smith, Jane Milan (Phil), Kathleen Johnson and brothers Tim (Janis), Bill and John (Suzie), and numerous nieces and nephews. Visitation will be on Thursday (June 29) at the Charles R. Lux Funeral Home in Mt. Pleasant from 4-7 PM followed by a short time of prayer and sharing of memories. A funeral mass will take place on Friday (June 30) at Sacred Heart Parish Catholic Church in Mt. Pleasant at 11 a.m., with a visitation beginning at 10 a.m.  Immediately following mass, Patrick will be laid to rest in Calvary Cemetery, Mt. Pleasant. All are invited to Lincoln Reception Center (attached to the funeral home) for a meal. In lieu of flowers, the Johnson family requests that memorials be sent to the SACRED HEART ACADEMY FOUNDATION INC - Sacred Heart Academy Foundation, Inc. (networkforgood.com) and the Michigan Flyways Retriever Club (miflyways.com). To sign the online guest book or leave a condolence for the family please visit www.CharlesRLux.com.