Submitted photo.
It is with great sadness that we share the news of Justin Johnson’s passing. Johnson died on Feb. 6. He was 45 years old.
A native of Modesto, California, Johnson was the essence of the Portland coffee movement in the mid-2000s. He embodied the spirit and love of coffee like no other upon his arrival to Portland in 2004, after which he worked as a barista, cafe manager, coffee buyer and roaster.
Johnson held a variety of roles at Water Avenue Coffee, World Cup Coffee and Oblique Coffee Roasters, among others, becoming a beloved fixture within the Portland coffee community.
His willingness to share his passion and curiosity for roasting drove him to curate numerous coffee roasting community events in the Northwest. In 2011, Johnson moved to San Francisco and worked for Coffee Review. Over the past few years, Johnson spent his time as an independent consultant.
The coffee industry will miss you, Justin! Rest in Peace.
Connie Blumhardt
Connie Blumhardt is the founder and publisher of Roast Magazine. She is based in Portland, Ore.
