George Henry Johnson, 65, professor of architecture at Salt Lake Community College and an avid Utah sportsman, died Jan. 23, 1989, of a heart attack in Salt Lake City.
Mr. Johnson, who won many state handball championships, died while playing handball at Deseret Gymnasium with his son, Blake.Since 1972 he had taught architectural history, drafting and other classes at the college. Before that he owned his own firm, George Henry Johnson & Associates, and had worked in other firms and as an architect for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
As a youth in Ogden, Mr. Johnson was an all-state baseball player and had opportunities to play for the Cincinnati Reds. Instead, he enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps, serving in Okinawa during World War II.
Upon his return he enrolled at the University of California at Berkeley and later at the University of Utah, where he was graduated magna cum laude in 1952. He also received a bachelor of architecture degree in 1953 from the U.
Mr. Johnson started playing handball when he was 30 and frequently was a state champion in both singles and doubles. During a 15-year period he dominated the game on a state level and was considered by many of his handball peers to be among the top players in the state.
He was president of the Utah Tennis Association and the Utah Handball Association. Also, he was active in the Junior Chamber of Commerce and at Salt Lake Community College was president of the Classroom Teachers Association.
Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Friday in the Parley's First Ward, 2350 S. 21st East. Friends may call from 6-8 p.m. Thursday at Larkin Mortuary, 260 E. South Temple.