Eric Marc Johnson 1961- March 28, 2012
Eric Marc Johnson, beloved family member of Carroll and Mary Ellen Devereux Taylor and family, passed away unexpectedly March 28, 2012 in Portland, Oregon. He was 51 years of age.
Eric was born and raised in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, the son of Donald and Margaret Johnson. He moved to Portland after graduating from art school. In Portland he worked for several hospitals, most recently Providence Saint Vincent’s and Providence Portland Medical Center. He was a highly-respected medical researcher in the Heart and Vascular Institute and was the director of clinical trials. He was admired by his co-workers and many. Dr. Albert Starr, co-inventor of the first artificial heart valve, was among many who wrote to say they appreciated Eric’s knowledge, his dedication, his compassion for others and his well-developed sense of humor.
Eric loved Iowa, his Iowa family and Mount Ayr. He was very interested in the Princess Theater and its progress. He purchased a bench for the lobby for the theater’s grand opening and on visits to Mount Ayr would make it a plan to see a movie. On his most recent trip in November 2011, he attended a rehearsal of the Christmas production of the Moonlighters Theatre Troupe. He had also helped with sets for the high school production of ‘Ashdown Lee.’ His favorite Christmas gift was the Mount Ayr Record-News which he read cover to cover. He would then call to discuss the week’s happenings.
Eric is survived by his partner of 14 years, Brian Taylor; his Iowa family, Carroll and Mary Ellen Devereux Taylor, Joey Taylor, MaiLynn Taylor, Anne Taylor and Gabrielle Hunke, Scott and Kathleen (Taylor) Coulson, his godson, Quinn Coulson, Ben Coulson, Monica Taylor and Wayne Walters, and his Johnson family, mother Margaret, sisters Jane Johnson and Liz (Dan) Murphy and brothers, Scott and Kris Johnson and their families. Preceding him in death were his father, Donald, and his sister, Jody.
A mass for Eric was said on Friday, March 30, 2012, at Providence Saint Vincent’s Hospital Chapel in Portland. A memorial service followed by a reception was held at the chapel that afternoon.
Memorials in Eric’s name may be made to the Princess Theater, Mount Ayr, Iowa, to the Passage Quilt Project at Saint Vincent’s Hospital, Portland, Oregon or to his family.
