1942
Lawrence
2021
Lawrence Patrick (Johnson) Johnson
September 25, 1942 — January 20, 2021
Wednesday morning January 20, 2021, at Torrance Memorial Hospital as much as he hated to go Lawrence (Larry Sr.) Johnson (78) took leave of this world to join his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ in heaven. He always preferred to stay but had to go when he got tired.
Larry was born on September 25,1942 to parents Lawrence and Alice Johnson in Newark, New Jersey. A good bit of his young life was spent hanging around Joan’s house. At 14 he referred to this favorite place as “Ma’s House” (fondly referring to Joan’s mom Charity Applegate). It was there she fed him, let him hang around and put him to work digging ditches for Joan’s contractor brother, Bill Applegate. By day he went to Catholic school where his mom Alice sent him to tame him as he had no father around. The nuns loved him, cared for him, and taught him about Jesus.
At age 18 he and Joan were married and packed up to head off to California to serve in the Marine Corps and start a new life. For the next 4 years, they served this country in El Toro, CA, and were honorably discharged with 3 children in tow. Moving back and forth between New Jersey and California but finally settling in CA for the good working weather, they with their 1 car and now 5 children worked, played, prayed, and worked more to make a home and raise a loving, fiery family.
As the kids grew and got hungrier, they started their own business “Block, Brick, Concrete. Nice, Neat Work”, mom did the books and dad taught every one of us to answer the phones professionally and help out at tax time. We participated in sports, danced and played hard- one more rule: Never, ever be late for practice.
When they were 35 years old, they moved to Torrance CA to be near the ocean and get away from the smog. That year they were blessed with their sixth child Kristin, a surprise and joy for all of us. There we were, all six.
Susan (married to Joseph), Sharon, Larry Jr, Jeanne (Married to Billy), Victoria (waiting for him in heaven) and Kristin (married to Stephen).
As we grew older his son joined the family business and it grew and expanded exponentially. Dad was a natural born leader that commanded dedication but he was also a believer in giving anyone a chance to succeed. He hired and trained many men without experience many of whom comprise his faithful crew that helped him grow the business into building freeway walls.
Larry Johnson had an enormous presence and leaves a legacy of generosity, high expectations, loyalty and trust in God. With every problem, loss and struggle we worked it out. Always brave enough to show up, do the work, forgive and let God. Dad was clear, kind, and devoted. And oh boy, did he love to eat with us, with friends, with coworkers with neighbors as I’m sure you know. He was blessed but it was us who felt most blessed for having been a part of his life.
Larry is survived by his wife of 60 years, Joan Carol, five of their six children, 12 Grandchildren: Megan, Molly, Meredith, Chrysta, Julie, Jacob, Mathew, Jessica, Joey, Alaina, Mason, Charlie and 1 precious Great Grand Daughter Lyra. We look forward to seeing him when we meet in heaven.
Join us in person or online as we Celebrate Larry’s life
on Saturday February 6 at 1 pm
Bay Cities Community Church
4915 Emerald St. Torrance, CA 90503
Link to Join Online at 1 pm
Baycities Website
http://www.baycitiessouthbay.com/messages/watch-live/
In lieu of flowers, an act of kindness
Larry loved to support people less fortunate. In Lieu of flowers, please help somebody in need. We are asking that all of you go out into the world and pay the act of kindness, love, generosity and support that Larry showed you forward. We want what our father gave us to be spread out into the world. He always said whatever you give to others will come back to you tenfold. He believed it, he lived it and he trusted in God. Please email, call or write my fathers wife and life partner, Joan Johnson to share your act of kindness with her so that we can all be reminded that all she and my father have done for others will continue on through all of us throughout the rest of time.
Larry was born on September 25,1942 to parents Lawrence and Alice Johnson in Newark, New Jersey. A good bit of his young life was spent hanging around Joan’s house. At 14 he referred to this favorite place as “Ma’s House” (fondly referring to Joan’s mom Charity Applegate). It was there she fed him, let him hang around and put him to work digging ditches for Joan’s contractor brother, Bill Applegate. By day he went to Catholic school where his mom Alice sent him to tame him as he had no father around. The nuns loved him, cared for him, and taught him about Jesus.
At age 18 he and Joan were married and packed up to head off to California to serve in the Marine Corps and start a new life. For the next 4 years, they served this country in El Toro, CA, and were honorably discharged with 3 children in tow. Moving back and forth between New Jersey and California but finally settling in CA for the good working weather, they with their 1 car and now 5 children worked, played, prayed, and worked more to make a home and raise a loving, fiery family.
As the kids grew and got hungrier, they started their own business “Block, Brick, Concrete. Nice, Neat Work”, mom did the books and dad taught every one of us to answer the phones professionally and help out at tax time. We participated in sports, danced and played hard- one more rule: Never, ever be late for practice.
When they were 35 years old, they moved to Torrance CA to be near the ocean and get away from the smog. That year they were blessed with their sixth child Kristin, a surprise and joy for all of us. There we were, all six.
Susan (married to Joseph), Sharon, Larry Jr, Jeanne (Married to Billy), Victoria (waiting for him in heaven) and Kristin (married to Stephen).
As we grew older his son joined the family business and it grew and expanded exponentially. Dad was a natural born leader that commanded dedication but he was also a believer in giving anyone a chance to succeed. He hired and trained many men without experience many of whom comprise his faithful crew that helped him grow the business into building freeway walls.
Larry Johnson had an enormous presence and leaves a legacy of generosity, high expectations, loyalty and trust in God. With every problem, loss and struggle we worked it out. Always brave enough to show up, do the work, forgive and let God. Dad was clear, kind, and devoted. And oh boy, did he love to eat with us, with friends, with coworkers with neighbors as I’m sure you know. He was blessed but it was us who felt most blessed for having been a part of his life.
Larry is survived by his wife of 60 years, Joan Carol, five of their six children, 12 Grandchildren: Megan, Molly, Meredith, Chrysta, Julie, Jacob, Mathew, Jessica, Joey, Alaina, Mason, Charlie and 1 precious Great Grand Daughter Lyra. We look forward to seeing him when we meet in heaven.
Join us in person or online as we Celebrate Larry’s life
on Saturday February 6 at 1 pm
Bay Cities Community Church
4915 Emerald St. Torrance, CA 90503
Link to Join Online at 1 pm
Baycities Website
http://www.baycitiessouthbay.com/messages/watch-live/
In lieu of flowers, an act of kindness
Larry loved to support people less fortunate. In Lieu of flowers, please help somebody in need. We are asking that all of you go out into the world and pay the act of kindness, love, generosity and support that Larry showed you forward. We want what our father gave us to be spread out into the world. He always said whatever you give to others will come back to you tenfold. He believed it, he lived it and he trusted in God. Please email, call or write my fathers wife and life partner, Joan Johnson to share your act of kindness with her so that we can all be reminded that all she and my father have done for others will continue on through all of us throughout the rest of time.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Lawrence Patrick (Johnson) Johnson, please visit our flower store.
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