Venerated Long-Distance Runner
Tracy D. Johnson ’86
On February 28, 2024, in Phoenix, Arizona, of cancer.
Tracy was born October 14, 1957, in Missoula, Montana. He graduated from Reed with a degree in classics in 1986, having written his thesis, “Studies in Pindaric Interpretation,” under Prof. Richard Tron [classics 1961–2003]. A long-distance runner with a vast collection of medals and trophies, Tracy was known for his work ethic and always going the extra mile. When he passed away, he had recently retired from the Vanguard Group, an investment management company, after a long and successful career in financial services. Family, friends, and colleagues remember him as caring, friendly, and the kind of person to make others feel special. He was predeceased by his father, Gerald DeWayne Johnson, and his stepfather, Walter P. “Bud” Myrdal. Tracy is survived by his mother, Norma Jean Myrdal.
Appeared in Reed magazine: Fall 2024
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