A memorial service will be held at 3 p.m. Jan. 27 at Skinny Legs Bar and Restaurant in Coral Bay for St. John resident Evan T. Johnson, better known as Ted “Red Beard” Johnson. He died Dec. 15 at Roy L. Schneider Hospital on St. Thomas after a short illness. Johnson was 68.
“He was outgoing, an original St. John character,” St. John resident Bernie Sheehan said.
Johnson held several jobs since he arrived on St. John in 1982 after a career in advertising, but he is best known for his ownership of Red Beard’s, a Coral Bay bar where Skinny Legs is now located.
Sheehan said that Johnson also owned Monkey Fist Art Studio and was the manager at Serendip Vacation Condos until he retired several years ago. Over the years, Johnson also worked as a real estate broker at several St. John agencies including Holiday Homes.
“He was gifted in sales and brought a lot of cheer and good humor to the office,” Holiday Homes owner Miles Stair said.
Born in Poughkeepsie, N.Y., Johnson is survived by two sons, Shane and Lance Johnson of New York, and a sister, Bette Cross of Northfield, N.J.
