Washougal honors Grant Johnson Jr. through fundraiser

An online fundraiser supporting the family of the late Grant Johnson Jr., a recent Washougal High School graduate and football standout, is approaching $30,000.

Washougal head football coach Dave Hajek said Johnson died June 29 after contracting a bacterial infection.

Johnson graduated with Washougal’s class of 2026 at Fishback Stadium on June 13.

A GoFundMe created to support Johnson’s family has received overwhelming response, reflecting how deeply the 18-year-old impacted the community and those around him, said friend and teammate Grady Sharp.

“Grant was always a jolly guy,” said Sharp, a rising senior who knew Johnson since Sharp was in third grade. The two also shared neighboring lockers during the football season.

“He always came into the locker room with a smile on his face or laughing,” Sharp said. “He was just a great guy.”

As a starting lineman who played offensive guard and nose tackle, Johnson was part of Washougal’s football team last fall that won the 2A Greater St. Helens League title and advanced to the state playoffs.

Sharp said Johnson played football the right way.

“He always played with respect,” he said. “He was a great athlete, especially for being a bigger guy. He was fast, he played with intensity and never got chippy with anybody.

“He was always locked in.”

A celebration of life is scheduled for 11 a.m. Saturday at Washougal High School, according to the GoFundMe page.