- Author: Pamela S Kan-Rice
Jeane Greenawalt Johnson, former 4-H home advisor in Ventura County, died Feb. 2 in Los Gatos. She was 97.
Johnson graduated from Kansas State University with a bachelor's degree in home economics in 1947 and later a bachelor's degree in education from San Jose State University. She worked for two years as a home demonstration agent in western Kansas before accepting a similar position in 1949 in Ventura County as UC Cooperative Extension 4-H home advisor, providing advice on making clothing, home furnishing, home management and food and nutrition.
In 1951, she married Louis Bruce Johnson, who died in 2019.
“My sister was born in 1954, by which time I'm sure my mother quit working,” wrote Johnson's daughter Deanna Foster.
Johnson remained a 4-H supporter, becoming a 4-H leader, a judge at county and state fairs, and a leader trainer.
“Her career with the California Extension Service was short, but it had a profound influence on the direction of her later career,” Foster said. “She co-founded the Association of Image Consultants and was active in Home Economists in Business.”
Johnson's work in personal color, fashion and wardrobe planning led to her teaching seminars at community colleges before starting her own business as an image consultant. A leader in her field, Johnson co-founded the Association of Image Consultants in the Bay Area, which later became an international organization.
Johnson is survived by daughters Wendy and Deanna (husband Tom Godsoe), grandson Michael Foster and sister Martha Miller.
Read more about Johnson's life at https://obituaries.paloaltoonline.com/obituaries/memorials/jeane-greenawalt-johnson?o=8442.