(WFRV/AP) – Tuesday night members of congress paid tribute to former Congressman Jay Johnson. The former WFRV anchor died from an apparent heart attack.
Family spokeswoman Danielle Bina says Johnson died Saturday at his home in suburban Washington, reportedly of a heart attack. He was 66 years old.
Johnson, a Democrat, was elected to Wisconsin's 8th Congressional District in 1996 and he served one term. He was appointed director of the U.S. Mint by President Clinton in 2000, serving until August of 2001. He most recently worked at Jay Johnson Coins and Consulting.
Before entering politics, Johnson spent 32 years as a journalist. He worked as an anchor and reporter at WFRV from 1982 to 1987, and then at WLUK until 1996 before trading the anchor desk for politics. In his early years, he served as a disc jockey at radio stations in the Upper Peninsula, including WJMS in Ironwood and WNMU in Marquette.
Johnson was born in Bessemer, Michigan, and holds degrees from Gogebic Community College and Northern Michigan University, as well as a Master's Degree in Radio/Television and Political Science from Michigan State University in 1970.
He is survived by his wife JoLee and two stepchildren.
Funeral services for Jay Johnson will be held this Friday at 11:00 am at Murphy Funeral Homes, 1102 Broad St. in Falls Church, VA.
You can watch the moment of silence on you tube here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HHiakOVlf0Q
