One-term Wis. congressman became director of U.S. Mint

Jay Johnson, 66, a Wisconsin Democrat who served one term in the U.S. House of Representatives and later was director of the U.S. Mint, died Oct. 17 of a heart attack at his home in Bristow.

Mr. Johnson was elected to Congress from Wisconsin's 8th District in 1996 and served on the House transportation and agriculture committees. He lost after one term to Republican Mark Green.

He directed the U.S. Mint from May 2000 to August 2001. The next year, he started a consulting firm specializing in coins. He was also a spokesman for a company dealing in gold.

Jay Withington Johnson was born in Bessemer, Mich. He was a graduate of Northern Michigan University. He was an Army information specialist in Vietnam from 1966 to 1968 and received a master's degree from Michigan State University in 1970.

Mr. Johnson spent 32 years as a radio and television journalist in Wisconsin, Florida and Michigan before running for Congress. He represented a congressional district surrounding Green Bay, Wis., where he had been a popular TV reporter and anchorman.

He was a longtime coin collector and was a member of many numismatic organizations.

Survivors include his wife of 28 years, JoLee Johnson of Bristow; two stepchildren; two sisters; a brother; and two grandchildren.

-- News Services and Staff Reports