Dr. Paul D. Johnson, MD, of Mt. Vernon , WA , died in his home surrounded by his family on January 2, 2016.  He was 66 years old. Paul is survived by his wife Kim Kusick; his daughter Heidi Hiatt (Zach) of Auburn, WA and their three children; his son Leif Johnson (Colleen) of Mt. Vernon, WA and their daughter; Kim's daughters Amy Murray of Puyallup, WA and her daughter; Alisa Murray (J.D.) of Des Moines, WA and their three children; Dr. Abby Murray (Tom) of Puyallup, WA and their daughter; Michelle Root of Ferndale, WA; Kristina Goltz of Ferndale, WA; and Lisa Root of Ferndale, WA; Paul's brothers Dr. Gary Johnson (Kris) of Mt. Vernon, WA; and Mark Johnson (Chris) of Burlington, WA; Paul's stepmother Elma Johnson of Burlington, WA; Elma's sons William Bounds (June) of Mt. Vernon, WA; and Stephen Bounds of Burlington, WA; and Elma's daughter Susan Dahl (Rod) of Mt. Vernon, WA.  Paul is preceded in death by his first wife Wendy Johnson; his parents John & Emma Johnson; his brother Duane Henden (Pat) of Albuquerque, NM; and Elma's daughter Johanna Bounds (Michael Baumeister).

Paul was born on April 28, 1949 in Bellingham , WA .  He grew up on a farm near Burlington , WA with his three older brothers.  Paul's mother Emma (Kaaland) died of cancer when he was 15 years old; thereafter, his father John moved the family to Big Lake , WA and married Elma (Bounds).  Paul graduated from Sedro-Woolley High School (1967) and attended college at Pacific Lutheran University in Tacoma, WA, (1971, B.A. Biology) while returning home to work at a lumber mill in Sedro-Woolley during summer breaks in order to pay for school.  After graduating, Paul went on to the University of Washington Medical School in Seattle , WA , graduating with a MD degree (1975).  He completed his family practice residency in San Bernardino , CA , (1978) before accepting his first position as a Staff Physician with Group Health in Olympia , WA . Paul married Wendy (Jechort) in 1974 after they met at college.  Paul & Wendy had two children, Heidi & Leif.  Shortly after Leif was born, Paul came back to Skagit County in order to co-found North Cascade Family Physicians in Mt. Vernon , WA .  In addition to Family Practice, Paul obtained board certification in Sports Medicine.  The family soon moved to Big Lake ; Wendy taught at First Lutheran Preschool in Mt. Vernon , WA .  She died of cancer in 1993.

Paul retired from family practice and started as the Medical Director for Hospice of the Northwest in 2007.  He was in the first group of physicians in the nation to earn board certification in Hospice and Palliative Care.  Paul was a member of the Board of Trustees for Hospice of the Northwest, a member of the Skagit Valley Hospital Ethics Committee, Preceptor of the University of Washington nurse practitioner and physician assistant programs and a Clinical Instructor in Family Medicine for the University of Washington .  He was recognized as one of Northwest Business Monthly's "Top Doctors" in 2009.  In between Family Practice and his work with Hospice, Paul worked abroad at a clinic in New Zealand and volunteered at a community clinic in Bolivia .  Paul enjoyed opportunities to teach others learning in the medical field; a primary reason he loved medicine was because it provided a lifelong opportunity for learning.

Paul married Kim in 2010; they traveled to many places around the world and spent as much time as possible with their nine grandchildren.  They could often be found hiking through the saguaro cactus in the Arizona sun or hosting gatherings for friends and family.

Paul died after a years-long battle with cancer.

Outside of his medical career, Paul loved the Earth and the outdoors, whether hiking the North Cascades, snow-skiing at Mt. Baker , bicycling around Skagit County or boating through the San Juan Islands .  He had a great appreciation for music, especially piano, which he played with joy.  Paul was a longtime member of First Evangelical Lutheran Church in Mt. Vernon .  He could often be found laughing with friends at a local coffee shop or tinkering with a car engine in his garage.  His greatest passion was, without doubt, spending time with his family & friends that he loved dearly. A celebration of life will be held at McIntyre Hall on the campus of Skagit Valley College on February 6, 2016 at 2 P.M.  In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Hospice of the Northwest.