Meet Jerry and Doris

Everyone knows Jerry (Jerald) and Doris Johanson!  Doris is one of the best welcomers of new people to Advent, and Jerry has been a faithful choir member forever, probably since joining in 1979.  Doris also served as a Sunday School teacher for many years.

They met on a blind date in college (both graduated from Iowa State, and married May 29, 1960 (so this was the big 60!).  Jerry had graduated from Marshalltown H.S. in Iowa, and Doris from Oskaloosa H.S.  They moved around a little as Jerry worked as an electrical and mechanical engineer (he pulled a double major), and actually transferred church membership from Flint Michigan.  Doris had received her Masters in Early Education from Cleveland State and worked as a daycare director and daycare consultant for children with physical and behavioral special needs. Together they brought up two children, Karen Baxter, who still lives in Kenai Alaska, and Mark, who is a trucker living in Chardon.  (Many of you old-timers may remember Karen and her children, Danielle, Shannon, and Seth, who were brought faithfully to church and Sunday School by their grandparents.)
​
Now retired and very active in the Solon Senior Center, Jerry loves crossword puzzles, and Doris reads and sews. When normalcy returns, we are sure you will see Jerry singing again and Doris welcoming everyone.  Of Advent, they simply say “it’s our family.”