Obituary of Lauren Griffith Johnson

Lauren G. Johnson died Sunday, November 22, 2015, at Mercy Hospital in Iowa City under the compassionate care of Iowa City Hospice and Mercy Hospice. A public visitation will begin at 1 p.m. Tuesday, December 1st, followed by a funeral service at 2 p.m. with a reception and continued fellowship following the services all at Gay & Ciha Funeral and Cremation Service. Private interment services will be held at the Rock Island National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers a memorial fund has been established in Lauren's memory. Lauren Griffith Johnson was born November 22, 1932, in Wilton, Iowa, the son of William G. and Eva M. (Moorehead) Johnson. He attended and graduated from Mt. Vernon High School, received his BS degree in Chemistry from Iowa State University in Ames, and his Masters in Chemistry from Rice University in Houston, Texas. He joined the University of Iowa State Hygienic Laboratory in 1966 where he enjoyed a long fulfilling career with colleagues and other scientist from around the world. Mr .Johnson had many achievements and recognitions throughout the years, but one that he was most proud of was his work with the Peace Corps after his college years in Malawi-Africa. He enjoyed much in his life, as avid reader of many kinds of books. Also he the outdoors with gardening, bird watching, and simple picnics with his wife and friends. He and his wife, Doina, have traveled many times In Romania, enjoyed many cruises, spent part of the winters in Florida but always returning to Iowa City their home. Lauren was a beautiful soul, who loved his family, friends, colleagues and animals, especially his cats! His family includes his wife, Doina; daughter, Kathleen Castro with husband Hernan, their child, Christopher, all of Shingle Springs, CA; his son, Ralph Johnson of San Francisco; step-children, Anda Ilies with husband, Remus and child Ion; and Radu Ursu with wife, Andreea and their children Ioana and Andrei. Also part of his family is the first cousin Monyeen Hora and husband, Joe of Wilton,Iowa. He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother Paul William Johnson.