Arthur Art Johnson Jr.

Arthur James Johnson, Jr., age 71, passed away on Dec. 4, 2011, after a seven-year battle with cancer. A lifelong resident of Long Beach, CA, he was married to his high school sweetheart, Margaret, for over 49 years. A graduate of Wilson H.S. and CSULB, he worked for the City of Los Angeles Dept. of Building and Safety for over 33 years, first as a civil engineer, eventually retiring as the General Manager. Art devoted his life to his family, and will be remembered in the Long Beach community for his coaching and mentoring of youth, and for his tireless volutneer work with the Athletics Dept. at CSULB. He is survived by his loving family -- wife Margaret, daughters Debbie Neipris (Michael) and Diana Nish, son Arthur James III (Helen), grandchildren Katie & Kelsey Neipris, Andrew Nish, and Arthur James IV and Jillian Johnson, sister Vickie Messina, stepsister Sue Klemin, mother-in-law Hazel Yocky, stepfather Lyman Halbin, and many nephews and nieces. A celebration of Art's life will be held at the Walter Pyramid at CSULB on January 16, 2012 at 5:30 pm. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the American Cancer Society or to CSULB Athletics Club.