Barry A. Johnson

Barry Johnson, age 45, of Munising, died Sunday, February 14, 2021 surrounded with love by his family at the Spectrum Health’s Butterworth Hospital in Grand Rapids, MI following medical complications.  He was born on April 19, 1975 in Munising to his wonderful parents, Robert and Debbie (Kroupa) Johnson.  Growing up with his siblings and friends they were always out in the woods in the Miners/Indiantown area where they would fish, hunt and play games in the yard.  His family also raised a variety of farm animals. Barry enjoyed boxing with the Munising Boxing Club and his love for music began when he was quite young. He played the trumpet in middle and high school where he also had a passion for playing football for the Mustangs.  Barry met Jamie St.Amour in high school and continued to make memories with her and many of his lifelong friends. He graduated from Munising High School in 1993.

Barry married Jamie on July 8, 1995 and together they lovingly raised their four children.  He was so proud of each of his children for all of the accomplishments they have achieved.  He would brag to everyone about them on a daily basis.  His children were truly his pride and joy.  He loved supporting his kids in everything they did.  Family was the most important thing to Barry.  He secretly plotted to attain the family pets, “that he didn’t want.”

At a young age, Barry worked in the woods cutting down trees and could find his way through any forest.  He gained many work companions in his years working at Bob’s IGA, Timber Products and Kimberly Clark.  He began his career working with children in his own home, as both Barry and Jamie had a home daycare.  Barry then found his niche with helping troubled youth when he worked for Teaching Family Homes.  Barry wanted to better himself and loved reading and gaining new knowledge.  He attended NMU where he earned a bachelor’s degree in Psychology in 2004.  After earning his degree, Barry worked as a Social Worker at Tendercare in Munising and Ishpeming and then became a Nursing Home Administrator for Extendicare in Sault Ste. Marie.  Barry then became the director of the Student Responsibility Center (SRC) at Munising High School, where he helped provide guidance to students and always had an open door for any child who needed help or someone to talk to.  Barry and his family opened their hearts and home to a few that became part of their family.  He most recently joined the Alger County Courthouse team as a Juvenile Probation Officer while continuing to work at Munising High School.

Barry was a talented musician who loved jamming with friends and played with his bands Tune Deal, and Pölar (14•27).  He never gave up playing his guitar and was always ready to rock.  Barry enjoyed company in “The Barn” to jam and was so proud of his Sauna he built.  Every morning he enjoyed his coffee and added to his music collection by finding new music to hear.  Barry’s appreciation for concerts and the experiences that came with them were irreplaceable. Each one of his tattoos marked a special time or meaning in his life.  Some of his most memorable hunting experiences were trucking through the deep snow to track down the big bucks. Numerous fishing trips with his friends and family were truly remarkable and they were times he would not forget.  Cross-country road trips were never dull.  There was always an adventure to talk about.  His love for Canada grew in recent years since he and his family began camping and taking trips there.  Mastering new languages was something that he challenged himself with along with learning about astronomy the highlights of “Ancient Alien Fridays.” Barry and his family have raised farm animals and gardened off and on.  This was something he had done as a child with his family and was so proud to be able to share that same experience with his children.  He was especially excited to have some baby calves be birthed this winter.  Barry’s love for his family superseded everything else in his life.  He loved being home with his family and felt safe when everyone was there.

Barry is survived by his wife of twenty-five years – Jamie Johnson of Munising, children – Matthew, Alex, Trevor, and Valerie Johnson all of Munising; mother – Debbie Johnson; siblings – Michael (Heather) Johnson of Munising, Daniel (Holly) Johnson of Negaunee, Rebecca Johnson of Munising, and Amy Johnson of Munising; mother and father-in-law – Jim and Carol St.Amour; brother-in-law – Mike (Katie Stickles) St.Amour; nieces and nephews – Brandon (Jordan), Carissa (Tyler), Michael (Brittney), Andrew, Nick, Natalia, Remi, Winter, Nasheena, and Echo; great-nieces and nephew – Allison, Emma, Brilliana, Lacey and Bennett; numerous aunts, uncles and cousins; best friend – Lee (Amber) Curtis; and many other great friends; pets – Zeeza, Willow, Axel.  He was preceded in death by his father – Robert Johnson; sister-in-law – Laura St.Amour; grandparents – Marjorie and Darwin Kroupa and Mary and Frank Johnson; grandparents-in-law – Nancy and Reino Kinnunen and Peg and Hoot St.Amour; pets – Copper, Chip, Jewel.

Visiting time with family and friends will be held at the Bowerman Funeral Home on Friday, February 19, 2021.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are requested to be made directly to the family.

Graveside services will be held at the Maple Grove Cemetery in Munising on Saturday, June 12, 2021 at 11:00 a.m.