Family and friends will pay tribute on Thursday to a man who was instrumental in developing Red Deer Press, now operated by a privately-owned publishing company.
Dennis Johnson, 58, died while enjoying some time off in Zihuatanejo, Mexico.
Born in New Norway and schooled in Edberg, Johnson was a graduate of Lindsay Thurber Comprehensive High School in Red Deer and studied at Camrose Lutheran College (now Augustana University) before completing his bachelor of education at the University of Alberta.
Johnson was a school teacher in Stettler before becoming an instructor in English and communications at Red Deer College. He became managing editor of Red Deer College Press in 1981 and was later promoted to publisher.
He continued in that capacity when the publishing house was moved to the University of Calgary and renamed Red Deer Press.
Johnson stayed on as publisher in 2005 when the operations were acquired by Fitzhenry and Whiteside in Markham, Ont., working from Calgary until 2007, when he left Red Deer Press to work as a consultant in the industry.
Red Deer Press won scores of awards during Johnson’s years at the helm, including six Publisher of the Year awards from the Book Publishers of Alberta.
Funeral arrangements have been set for 2 p.m. on Thursday at the First Baptist Church at 6406 44B Ave. in Camrose.
A memorial service will be held in February for friends and colleagues in Red Deer. A date and time have not been set.