Vernon Carl Johnson, 78, Rapid City, died Monday, October 1, 2018 at the Regional Health Home Plus Hospice House.

Vernon was born January 13, 1940 in Moline, IL to Carl Albin and Ethel Marie (Bergstrom) Johnson. He was raised and educated in Moline graduating from high school in 1958. He was on the varsity basketball team from 1955-1958 where he has said to have been the first player to break the glass backboard in 1957.

He later attended Augustana College, Rock Island, IL where he met his future wife, Marian Wilson. They were married in 1961 and both graduated from Augustana in 1962. They had two children Ronald Anthony ‘Tony’ and Kristine.

He was involved in the scouting program from the age of 5 and attained every award except for the silver beaver. He attained the rank of Eagle Scout with palms and received the silver award and the church award. He completed his scouting career in 1956.

Vernon worked for Connecticut Mutual until becoming a General Agent for State Mutual of America.

He was an alderman in Bettendorf, IA for several years and started his own business called Security Market Analysis in Rock Island, IL.

Vernon later started Advantage Car Wash Systems which he operated for many years.

He was a lifetime member of First Lutheran Church, Moline, IL.

He married Linda O’Melia in 1985. They later divorced but maintained a loving relationship.

Vernon moved to Rapid City in 2013 to live with his daughter Kristine and family.

He is survived by a daughter, Kristine (Stephen) Gullikson, Rapid City; 3 grandchildren, Christopher and Alyssa Johnson, Sif Gullikson; siblings, Barbara (Duane) Grenier, Iowa City, IA, Michael (Marie) Johnson, Moline, IL and Robert (Mary) Johnson, Hendersonville, TN.

He was preceded in death by his son, Tony in 2011, his parents and a brother Gary Johnson.

In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established to benefit Regional Health Home Plus Hospice, 224 Elk St., Rapid City, SD, 57701.