George Johnson celebrated his 95th birthday on Dec. 22 and the long time owner of Ballard Realty and Insurance has shown little sign of slowing down, working six days a week to serve generations of area clients.

"Keep working, stay happy and enjoy what you are doing. I'm easing off. I go home at noon now," said Johnson, who has been in business on 15th Avenue since 1947.

Johnson has received some unique birthday presents in recent years and last week was no exception. Friends, family and staff purchased a full-page advertisement in the News-Tribune in his honor.

For his 90th birthday in 2002, a billboard was created on the north side of his office building. The billboard tribute said "Happy 90th Birthday!" and featured Johnson's signature cartoon figure of himself that says "Let George Do It." During that same birthday, a client gave him a bucket filled with 90 golf balls.

When Johnson turned 98, client Greg Payne went to a Ballard High School auction and won the bid for a performance by the marching band. The band showed up at Johnson's office and serenaded him with music.

"That was a total surprise," said Johnson.

Johnson was born and raised in South Dakota, during the Great Depression. Along with his first wife Clarice, Johnson helped teach school children in a one-room schoolhouse.

When they decided to relocate to Seattle, they drove to the Northwest in a 1930 Model A. Johnson said he had $50 in his pocket at the time.

Once in the Northwest, Johnson attended Seattle Pacific College. His parents followed him to Seattle and started a dairy farm. The land they chose for their farm would later be the site of the now closed Viewlands Elementary.

Johnson juggled two jobs, teaching elementary school children and selling real estate. He went full time in his sales career when he opened his own real estate business in Crown Hill. The first office was in a small one bedroom home.

His first home sale around the corner from his present office. In those days, you could buy the best house in Ballard for around $3,500.

Son Bob Johnson remembers his father working all the time. "He took calls at the dinner table answering real estate questions. I grew up watching him," said Bob Johnson.

George Johnson Realty grew and he eventually added insurance and accounting services to his company. His success came from repeat business and referrals from customers.

Johnson is proud of his role in creating the Multiple Listing Service, that brought area realtors together.

He is not a big fan of all the condominiums being built in Ballard and misses the Denny's restaurant down the street that will be replaced with a large condo.

"This is a popular place for people to come to," Johnson said. Younger couples are purchasing houses in Ballard now. "The interest was low. It made it possible for first time home buyers," said Johnson.

Johnson has been married to his second wife Edith for the last 20 years.

Ballard Realty and Insurance is a family business. Johnson runs the real estate side with his son Robert (Bob). Grandsons Greg and Rob operate the insurance business. Greg's oldest daughter Misty also works in the insurance office.

"You have to be personable to keep people coming in," said Johnson, who prefers to sit at a small desk by the front door, rather than in his larger office. It's that kind of personal service that has served Ballard Realty and Insurance well over the years.

"He is an institution," said Bob Johnson.

Dean Wong may be reached at deanw@robinsonnews.com